Sussex County health officials are warning area residents about an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness they believe is caused by norovirus.
The Sussex County Health Division announced last week that they were investigating an increase in gastrointestinal illnesses after receiving an increase in reports of symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, particularly from individuals who dined out in Sussex County between January 30 and February 1.
On Monday, health officials said early findings suggest the outbreak may be caused by norovirus.
In a press release, officials said emails and phone calls from the public were “crucial in identifying the common symptoms experienced by many residents.”
Norovirus causes symptoms that can be unpleasant to talk about – excessive vomiting and diarrhea chief among them.
It can also lead to severe dehydration, especially in young children and older adults. Each year, the virus causes 900 deaths, mostly among adults age 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It spreads quickly and seems to come out of nowhere. Symptoms usually develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure, according to the CDC.
While the most severe symptoms usually last only a few days, people can still shed the virus for two or more weeks after feeling better.
You can get it by:
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Having direct contact with someone who is sick, such as by caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.
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Consume contaminated food or drink.
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Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting unwashed fingers in your mouth.
Food is a major way norovirus spreads. Most reported outbreaks are caused by people touching or preparing food while sick, or sometimes by food coming from contaminated water, according to the CDC.
However, an environmental assessment in Sussex County did not identify any issues within any food establishments, according to a press release.
Officials said the recent outbreak in New Jersey is more consistent with a common viral stomach illness rather than a facility-related cause.
While norovirus outbreaks occur throughout the year, they are most common from November to April. During these peak months, health officials encourage residents to take preventive measures to stop the spread of gastrointestinal diseases.
Anyone who is ill should avoid preparing or handling food for others and wait at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve before returning to work. Linens soiled with body fluids should be washed with detergent and hot water.
It is also important to remember that alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not a substitute for hand washing and does not work well against norovirus, according to the CDC and medical professionals.
Nationwide, there were 31 outbreaks in the week of January 2 across the 14 states that report data to the CDC. That’s an increase of almost 35% from the previous week. Despite the increase, cases are not considered unusually high for this time of year.
The total number of outbreaks reported so far this season is in the middle of 50% of the outbreaks reported in the same period during the seasonal years 2012-2025, according to the CDC.
There is no treatment for norovirus infections. Doctors advise sick individuals to stay at home, rest and hydrate.
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