Norovirus Michigan Outbreak: Causes, Awareness And Other Facts!

Have you been getting a lot of news on the internet about Norovirus Michigan? If your answer is yes and you have been searching for information related to the same, you have reached the right place.

While people have still been suffering from the crippling effects of Coronavirus, the outbreak of yet another virus in the States has started to make people worry. As the state of Michigan has been suffering from a massive outbreak of norovirus, it is not the only place.

Keep reading this article till the end to learn more about Norovirus Michigan…

What Is Norovirus?

Before talking about the Norovirus Michigan outbreak, let me give you a brief about the virus. So here I go!

Also known to cause the “winter vomiting disease,” norovirus is a common yet contagious virus that affects the digestive system of the body. According to the CDC, it is a “very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea.” In other words, this virus is known to cause stomach flu and/or gastroenteritis. Previously known as the Norwalk Virus, norovirus can infect people of all ages and has resulted in more than 200,000 deaths per year.

Now that you know about the virus, it is time for you to learn about the Norovirus Michigan outbreak. Scroll down to learn more…

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Norovirus Michigan Outbreaks: Everything You Need To Know!

As I have already mentioned, the infection caused by norovirus is also known as “winter vomiting disease,” and that is the reason why there has been a surge in the number of cases of the infection as soon as winter arrived.

As of December 2020, there was a norovirus outbreak in several states across the country. Almost three hundred people were reported to have been affected by the disease across eight states.

These viruses are generally spread through contaminated food or water that has decal particles. They can be transmitted from one person to another directly, and that is the reason why so many people have already been infected in Michigan and other parts of the United States. But you might be thinking, how did so many people start getting infected with the norovirus disease in Michigan? I have the answer for you.

Causes of the Norovirus Michigan Outbreak

According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak of norovirus has been linked to the eating of raw oysters from Texas. How? Well, here is the answer to that.

If eaten raw or half-cooked, shellfish and oysters can contain viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. One of the most common viruses that these oysters contain is the Norwalk Virus or norovirus. Eating food contaminated with this virus can cause disease.

In order to deal with this, the Texas Department of State Health Services has ordered a “recall of all oysters harvested in the TX 1 area of southeastern Galveston Bay after reports of a few dozen cases of gastrointestinal illness among people who ate oysters from those waters. The recall includes oysters in the shell and shucked oysters harvested in the area from Nov. 17 through Dec. 7.”

In other words, if you have purchased any oysters since 17 November, it is best that you check the packaging of the product. If you see that the oyster is harvested in TX1, it is best to avoid eating them.

Symptoms

A person who is infected with the norovirus disease usually shows the signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis. People struggling with immunodeficiency suffer the most from norovirus. While it can be uncomfortable to be infected with this disease, it is not incredibly deadly or fatal.

In case you are thinking about what are the major symptoms of the norovirus disease, I have got you covered. Here are some of the major symptoms of norovirus illness that you need to look out for:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach Ache
• Fever
• Muscle Ache
• Weakness
• Fatigue 

Prevention

There are a number of ways in which you can prevent this infection from spreading. Here are some preventative measures that you need to take to ensure that you are able to stop it from spreading or infecting you.

Take a look at these:

• Use Disinfectants To Clean The House.
• Wash Your Hands Thoroughly.
• Use Sanitizers.
• Wash The Fruits And Vegetables Thoroughly Before Cooking.
• Make Sure The Food That You Eat is Well-cooked.
• Wash Soiled Clothes And Linens Before Using.
• Carefully And Completely Cook Oysters Before Eating.

Treatment: How Can You Cure Norovirus Infection?

If you are someone who has been infected with this virus or if you know someone who might be suffering from this disease, you will find this part of the article helpful. According to the Government of Michigan, this infection “cannot be treated with antibiotics. By drinking fluids, such as juice or water, people can reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated.”

The report also states that, to date, there are no specific medicines or treatments for this outbreak. However, as one of two of the major symptoms of this illness includes diarrhea and vomiting, it becomes important for the patients to ensure that they are able to keep their bodies replenished and hydrated.

If you want to get relief from the symptoms, you can take over-the-counter medicines that are available for treating diarrhea, nausea, fever, and vomiting.

Drink a lot of fluids and water to prevent your body from getting dehydrated. You may also drink some oral rehydration. If your condition becomes too serious, you might have to take intravenous fluids.

How Long Is Norovirus Contagious?

The people who get infected by the norovirus disease are highly contagious. But exactly for how long are they contagious? If that is something that you are asking, here is the answer.

According to the government of Michigan, “People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery.” However, the sire also added that people could also remain contagious for as long as two weeks after making a complete recovery.

This is the reason why it is very important that you still carry on with the preventative measures while looking after a person who recently had norovirus disease.

Norovirus Outbreak: What Are The Places That Are Facing This Outbreak?

As I mentioned, Michigan is not the only place that has reported a norovirus outbreak. This viral outbreak has affected nearly eight states in the United States of America. Here are the names of the states that have reported a surging number of norovirus disease:

• Georgia
• Texas
• North Carolina
• Florida
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• Tennessee
• Louisiana

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Wrapping It Up!

Norovirus is a contagious virus that is mostly found in shellfish and oysters. A lot of people in the United States are getting infected with this disease as they are getting in touch with the norovirus after eating raw, uncleaned, or undercooked oysters.
In case you were in search of some information related to Norovirus Michigan, I hope that this blog has been able to update you with the little details. If there are any other queries related to the same, feel free to write them down in the comment section at the bottom of the page.

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