Illinois - Norovirus cases 2013

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Source: http://www.wlsam.com/common/page.php...5191&is_corp=0


Outbreak of stomach flu brings quarantine at Cook County Jail
9:48AM Wednesday
February 6, 2013

A quarantine has been ordered at Division II of the Cook County Jail after detainees have come down with the stomach flu.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart ordered the quarantine, which will remain in place until further notice, a release Wednesday morning from his office said. Detainees housed in the affected unit are under limited movement, and visitation is not allowed...

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Re: IL: Outbreak of stomach flu brings quarantine at Cook County Jail

STOMACH FLU OUTBREAK LEADS TO QUARANTINE OF JAIL DIVISION

Wednesday, February 6, 2013<!-- #EndDate -->? Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart has ordered a quarantine of Division II at the Cook County Jail after detainees have come down with the stomach flu.

The quarantine will remain in place until further notice. Detainees housed in the affected unit are under limited movement, and visitation is not allowed.

The division?s living, dining, shower, toilet, and all high touch surface areas are being disinfected. Linens have been changed and are being laundered separately.

Many of the detainees in the affected unit participate in our work programs within the jail and outside of the jail. Many of the affected detainees work in the jail?s kitchen and assist in transporting meals. As a result of the quarantine, they will not be able to participate in those programs. Additional staff may be needed to cover food transportation and cleaning responsibilities if the outbreak continues to other divisions.

Division II staff is being closely monitored to ensure exposure to affected detainees is limited. Other concerns include preparing for an outbreak within staff and adding detainees to an already crowded jail. Both of these concerns have potential to add overtime costs. Because of these concerns, additional measures are being taken at the jail to prevent the virus from spreading further.

http://www.cookcountysheriff.com/press_page/press_Stomachflu_02_06_2012.html

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Re: Illinois - Norovirus cases 2013

<TABLE border=0 width=600><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD height=46><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=290><TBODY><TR><TD style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </TD></TR><TR><TD style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px">February 27, 2013 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=280><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>CONTACT: </TD></TR><TR><TD>Melaney Arnold</TD><TD>(217) 558-0500</TD></TR><!--<tr> <td>Sabrina L. Miller</td> <td>(312) 814-8194</td> </tr>--><!--<tr><td colspan="2">Communications Manager</td></tr>--><TR><TD style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20px" colSpan=2>www.idph.state.il.us </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD style="HEIGHT: 30px"></TD></TR><TR><TD width=588 colSpan=2 align=left>Norovirus Outbreaks ? Stay Healthy, Wash Your Hands

?Stomach bug? circulating


</TD></TR><TR><TD style="HEIGHT: 10px"></TD></TR><TR><TD style="LINE-HEIGHT: 26px" colSpan=2>SPRINGFIELD ? No doubt you probably know of someone who has been sick with a ?stomach bug? this year, typically caused by norovirus. Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea and is very contagious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 80 percent of norovirus outbreaks occur from November to April. The CDC estimates that more than 20 million people, or about one in every 15 Americans, are infected with norovirus.
?Norovirus is the most common cause of stomach illness in the country,? said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. ?However, the easiest way to avoid becoming ill is to wash your hands. Viruses can contaminate surfaces and objects touched by someone who is ill. If your hand then comes in contact with your mouth, chances are you will end up becoming ill.?
Norovirus can spread quickly from person to person in crowded places like schools, long-term care facilities and daycare centers. A person who is ill and prepares or serves catered meals or food in a restaurant can contaminate food, causing others to become ill.
Symptoms of norovirus infection usually include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramping. Other, less common symptoms may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and general sense of fatigue. Norovirus illness is usually not serious and most people are better in a day or two. But, norovirus illness can be serious in young children, the elderly and people with other health conditions. According to the CDC, norovirus causes more than 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths in the U.S. each year.
Tips for avoiding norovirus:

• Frequently wash your hands, especially after toileting and before eating or preparing food.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately using a bleach-based cleaner. Or use one part bleach to nine parts water (1:10 dilution).
• Increase the frequency of cleaning high touch surfaces such as door knobs.
• Do not work as a food handler while you are ill with diarrhea or vomiting.

For more information on norovirus, log onto www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbnorovirus.htm.

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http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/press13/2.27.13_Norovirus_Outbreaks.htm

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Re: Illinois - Norovirus cases 2013

Norovirus Suspected Cause Of O'Hare Travelers' Illness

The virus is thought to have been contracted outside of Chicago

By Amanda Bonafiglia
| Wednesday, Mar 27, 2013 | Updated 2:52 PM CDT

Norovirus is the suspected cause of an illness contracted this week by travelers at O?Hare International Airport.

At least nine people were taken to the hospital Monday after they began throwing up in the international terminal around 11 p.m.

Chicago Fire Department officials said the people were part of a tour group of about 50 that had been on a bus trip through the Midwest. They came to O'Hare to board a Scandinavian airline to Copenhagen.

More...

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/health/Norovirus-OHare--illness-chicago200291551.html#ixzz2OnW3vh4L

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Re: Illinois - Norovirus cases 2013

Article posted: 11/14/2013 8:10 PM

Illnesses at Edison caused by norovirus

By Daily Herald report

The gastrointestinal illness that kept hundreds of Wheaton students out of school earlier this week was a norovirus, according to DuPage County Health Department.
...
On Monday, 465 students ? out of a school population of about 700 ? were absent. That number fell to 180 on Tuesday and to 89 on Wednesday, the district said. The school canceled all before- and after-school activities for the rest of the week as a precaution.
...

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20131114/news/711149648/