New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Pathfinder · Jan 12, 2012

Norovirus strikes Cumberland Manor

Published: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 9:39 PM Updated: Thursday, January 12, 2012, 2:46 PM

By Jason Laday/The News of Cumberland County

HOPEWELL TWP. ? Medical staff at Cumberland Manor have declared the third floor of the nursing home quarantined, as 34 of the 55 residents there have contracted a highly contagious norovirus.

The virus ? which is nonlethal but causes abdominal cramps, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea ? first made itself known Sunday night, infecting one resident on the third floor.

However, by Tuesday, a total of 26 had developed symptoms, according to a person close to the situation.

?Four of the residents have been sent to the hospital, to (South Jersey Healthcare-Regional Medical Center), we get regular reports on 30 that are infected on the floor,? said the person, who requested she remain anonymous.

?The county Department of Health has gotten involved, and they?re asking for stool samples.?

According to the person, none of the residents are allowed to leave the floor until the virus passes.

More...
http://www.nj.com/cumberland/index.ssf/2012/01/norovirus_stikes_cumberland_ma.html

Pathfinder · Feb 9, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Outbreak sickens dozens at New Jersey university

By Josh Levs, CNN
updated 7:36 AM EST, Thu February 9, 2012

(CNN) -- About 40 students at a university in New Jersey have been taken to hospitals for treatment after an outbreak of what authorities believe is the norovirus.

The Rider University students, at the school's campus in Lawrenceville, were brought to hospitals late Wednesday night, the school said Thursday.

The suspected outbreak comes a week after an outbreak began at nearby Princeton University, which is still under way, officials said.

"We are coordinating treatment information with that university. We have also informed neighboring institutions," Rider said on its website.

Norovirus is a highly contagious illness that is often called stomach flu or food poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States.

More...

http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/09/health/new-jersey---virus/index.html

Pathfinder · Feb 9, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Princeton University

Gastroenteritis strikes U.

By Sarah Chen
Senior Writer

Published: Thursday, February 9th, 2012

An unusually severe outbreak of gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, struck the University community at the beginning of Intersession and continues to plague the campus a week later.
In the last two weeks, McCosh Health Center has served roughly 90 students suffering from symptoms of gastroenteritis, which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and occasionally fever. Some students traveling on Intersession trips, including the Triangle Club tour and the Princeton Ski and Snowboard Team training trip, were also affected.

University Health Services and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety issued its first gastroenteritis campus hygiene advisory on Feb. 3 during Intersession. The second warning, which advised the University community on best practices to avoid contagion, came out three days later. The University last sent similar warnings in 2009 about H1N1 influenza and in 2008 about gastroenteritis.

More...
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2012/02/09/29892/

Pathfinder · Feb 10, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Rider News

Vicious Virus: Overnight norovirus outbreak sickens dozens

Feb 09, 2012

As of Thursday night, 58 students in total have been affected by a norovirus infection on both campuses.
...
The first notice of an outbreak came from the Lawrence Township police, who received a call from a parent asking for an ambulance for her daughter who exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms. Public Safety received a number of calls within a short time span of students presenting similar symptoms.
...
As of Thursday, the number of cases had dropped and all but one student were treated and returned to campus.

?There has been a significant decrease since Wednesday night in the number of reported cases of students exhibiting symptoms of a norovirus infection,? the response said. ?Transports to area hospitals are also significantly reduced.?
...
According to Chief of Police Daniel Posluszny, Lawrence Township police is taking steps to alert the residents of Lawrence Township and neighboring areas of the spreading virus.

?Right now we haven?t had any other reports about it in the community,? he said. ?So far it?s been an isolated incident. If we get any more reports we will act accordingly. Right now we are just getting the information out to everybody that there is an outbreak at Rider.?...

Full text:
http://www.theridernews.com/2012/02/09/vicious-virus-overnight-norovirus-outbreak-sickens-dozens/

Pathfinder · Feb 11, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

More hospitalizations linked to virus at Princeton, Rider campuses

Published: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 7:18 AM

By David Karas/The Times The Times, Trenton

The sick toll continued to climb yesterday in a suspected outbreak of the highly contagious norovirus that has affected more than 200 students at Princeton and Rider universities since late January.

Among those who have fallen ill are two faculty members and three Aramark food service employees at Rider, university spokesman Dan Higgins confirmed last night.

Officials at Rider reported 11 additional hospitalizations yesterday and a Princeton spokesman reported seven, though the volume of new cases on both campuses has dropped in recent days.

?These are far fewer than what we had earlier in the week,? said Princeton University spokesman Martin Mbugua, who confirmed that since Jan. 29, the institution has seen about 110 cases.

To date, Rider has seen close to 100 cases between its Lawrence and Princeton campuses, Higgins said.

More...
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/02/more_hospitalizations_linked_t.html

Pathfinder · Feb 12, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Sunday, February 12, 2012, 1 p.m.

Update on Norovirus Outbreak on Rider?s Campuses

While we will post a more detailed update on Monday, February 13, we have two items to report.

First, as expected, reported cases of the illness among students have significantly declined in number and severity over the weekend. We have had a total of 13 reported cases from 5 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday. Among these were three cases requiring re-hydration at the hospital and all have returned to campus.

Second, public health officials have confirmed, following testing, that norovirus is the cause of the outbreak of illness on our campuses.

More...
http://www.rider.edu/emergency

Pathfinder · Feb 13, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Investigation Update on the Celebrity Silhouette

Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Cruise Ship: Celebrity Silhouette
Voyage Dates: January 29 ? February 10, 2012
Number of passengers who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers onboard: 174 of 2809 (6.19%)
Number of crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 11 of 1236 (0.89%)
Predominant symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea
Causative agent: Unknown

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Celebrity Cruises and the crew aboard the ship have taken the following actions:

Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan,
Made announcements to both notify passengers and encourage case reporting,
Conducted red level cleaning and delayed embarkation to permit a thorough disinfection,
Collected stool specimens from ill passengers and crew for diagnostic laboratory testing,
Distributed a pre-boarding health advisory to incoming passengers,
Made daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to the VSP,
Extended their turnaround day in Newark, New Jersey on February 10, 2012 to conduct a red level cleaning,
Delayed embarkation to permit a thorough disinfection, and
Consulted with CDC on disembarkation plans for active cases, terminal and transport infection control procedures

A CDC Vessel Sanitation Program environmental health officer and an epidemiologist will board the ship on arrival in Newark, New Jersey on February 10, 2012 to conduct a targeted environmental health assessment and evaluate the outbreak and response activities.

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/outbreak/2012/feb10celebrity_silhouette.htm

Pathfinder · Feb 14, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

As norovirus spreads, criticism surrounds Rider University decision to stay open

Published: Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 6:45 AM

By David Karas/The Times The Times, Trenton

As reported cases of a norovirus outbreak climb slowly on two Mercer college campuses, concerns are mounting that the decision made by Rider
University officials not to cancel events on campus may have exposed many others to the highly contagious virus.

More than 260 cases have been reported so far at Rider and Princeton University.

Patti Angelos, a New York state resident whose daughter plays basketball for Canisius College in Buffalo, attended a Friday evening game at Rider and, along with several friends and family members, became sick afterward.

She also said that eight of the 22 players on her daughter?s team also fell ill, and that even the driver of the team?s bus experienced a sudden onset of vomiting and had to stop just four hours into the journey upstate. The team stayed at a hotel until a replacement bus arrived.

?I think Rider absolutely, unconditionally, should have cancelled the game,? she said. ?You have to show some responsibility, and some due diligence. They had to know that it was not over on Thursday.?

More...
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/02/as_norovirus_spreads_criticism.html

Pathfinder · Feb 16, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Princeton -

Outbreak largest in 10 years

By Marcelo Rochabrun
Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, February 16th, 2012

At least 190 students have come down with the highly-contagious gastroenteritis over the past two weeks, with 80 of the sick contracting the virus since Friday, University Spokesperson Martin Mbugua said.

The spread of gastroenteritis caused by norovirus is ?particularly higher? when compared with previous years, Mbugua said.

The illness has been especially noticeable in North Hall B and North Hall C in Whitman College. Meredith Wright ?13, a residential college adviser on the fourth floor of North Hall B, said that out of her 14 advisees, 11 had been infected with gastroenteritis since Monday.

More...
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2012/02/16/29977/

Pathfinder · Feb 17, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

<TABLE class=tablebordertop border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=700 bgColor=#ffffff align=center><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=4>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablebordertop border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width=700 bgColor=#ffffff align=center><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3 align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=5 colSpan=3></TD></TR><TR><TD class=black13bold height=108 vAlign=top width=215 align=left>PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360 For Release:
February 16, 2012

</TD><TD class=black13bold bgColor=#ffffff height=108 vAlign=top align=right>Mary E. O'Dowd, M.P.H.
Commissioner For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

</TD><TD width=10></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tablebordertop border=0 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=3 width=700 bgColor=#ffffff align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=black13bold><CENTER>DHSS Reminds Residents to Take Precautions to Avoid Norovirus Infections</CENTER>

</TD><TD width=10></TD></TR><TR><TD class=black13>As expected, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

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lace></st1:State> is experiencing an increase in norovirus outbreaks and DHSS reminds residents to take precautions to protect their health. Colds and flu are not the only infections that thrive in the winter. Norovirus - sometimes called the stomach flu, viral gastroenteritis, or food poisoning ? also likes the colder weather. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

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?The best way to avoid the norovirus is to wash your hands often using soap and water,? said Deputy Commissioner Dr. Arturo Brito. ?Alcohol-based hand cleansers are not effective against this virus.?
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Norovirus is a highly contagious viral illness, which begins suddenly and usually causes stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some people may also experience low-grade fever, chills, headache, body aches and fatigue. Most people recover quickly, but serious complications can occur - particularly in those with other medical conditions. Those infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin to feel sick until as long as two weeks after recovery. <o

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There is no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection and there is no drug to treat it. The best way to reduce the risk of getting norovirus is to:<o

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<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and changing diapers. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are not effective against norovirus.<o></o> <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Carefully wash fruits and vegetables and cook oysters and other shellfish before eating.<o></o> <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Do not prepare food while infected or while you have symptoms of norovirus. Foodhandlers should wait 3 days after they recover from their illness before returning to work.<o></o> <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. After throwing up or having diarrhea, immediately clean surfaces by using bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label or a diluted bleach solution (5-25 tablespoons of household bleach per gallon of water). Never use undiluted bleach.<o></o> <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Remove and wash clothing and linens that may be contaminated with vomit or stool. Handle soiled items carefully to avoid spreading the virus. If available, wear rubber, disposable gloves while handling soiled clothing or linens and wash your hands after handling. Items should be washed with detergent at the maximum cycle length and machine dried.<o></o>
Report all outbreaks to the local health department.<o></o>

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Noroviruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the <st1

lace w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region></st1

lace>. It is estimated that each year, more than 20 million cases of gastroenteritis are caused by norovirus. That means that 1 in every 15 Americans will become ill from norovirus each year. In <st1:State w:st="on"><st1

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Noroviruses can spread quickly from person to person in crowded, closed places like long-term care facilities, daycare centers, schools, hotels, summer camps, hospitals, family dinners, student housing, restaurants, and cruise ships. In other words, places where people often eat food that is prepared or handled by others. <o

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There have recently been norovirus outbreaks on the campuses of <st1

laceName w:st="on">Princeton</st1

laceName> <st1

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laceType> and <st1

lace w:st="on"><st1

laceName w:st="on">Rider</st1

laceName> <st1

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laceType></st1

lace>. Both universities have been very cooperative with local and county health officials in taking steps to prevent further transmission by sanitizing and educating students and staff about frequent handwashing.<o

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Noroviruses are found in the stool and vomit of infected people. People can become infected by:

<LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus. <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Touching surfaces or objects that are contaminated with norovirus, and then placing your hand in your mouth.
Having direct contact with an infected person; for example, by exposure to the virus when caring for or when sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils with an infected person.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/dhss/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=3845

Pathfinder · Feb 21, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

College of New Jersey

Norovirus unconfirmed but students reportedly sick

By Kelly Johnson and Tom Ciccone
Posted on 21 February 2012

Student Health Services sent out another campus-wide email on Friday, Feb. 17 addressing the recent norovirus outbreaks that have occurred on Rider and Princeton University campuses. While no confirmed cases of norovirus have been reported at the College, some students have been experiencing norovirus-like symptoms, Matthew Golden, associate vice president for Communications and College Relations told The Signal.

A stool sample must be tested in order to confirm the norovirus, but according to Golden, in the limited number of cases seen by Health Services all of the students declined to have the test performed.
Without a stool test, Health Services can only identify these students as having a gastrointestinal illness.

More...
http://www.tcnjsignal.net/2012/02/21/norovirus-unconfirmed-but-students-reportedly-sick/

Pathfinder · Mar 15, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Branchburg Township Health Department alerts residents of increase in Norovirus

Published: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 3:27 PM Updated: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 3:29 PM

By The Messenger-Gazette The Somerset Reporter

The Branchburg Township Health Department wants to alert residents, that in the past few weeks, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) has been seeing an increase in the number of gastrointestinal (GI) illness outbreaks across the state. These outbreaks have been associated with many different settings including schools, shelters, homes, long term care facilities, child care centers and restaurants. Norovirus have been confirmed to be the causative agent in many of these outbreaks.
...
http://www.nj.com/messenger-gazette...lerts_residents_of_increase_in_norovirus.html

Pathfinder · Mar 21, 2012

Re: New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

Montgomery, Hillsborough and Branchburg see bump in cases of norovirus, 'the stomach bug'

Published: Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 1:25 PM
By Warren Cooper/Somerset Messenger-Gazette

MONTGOMERY TWP. ? Norovirus ? the ?stomach bug? ? is on the rise in at least three Somerset County towns. In response, health officials here have issued a joint alert with Branchburg and Hillsborough townships about risks associated with the gastrointestinal illness.

Montgomery Health Officer Stephanie Carey would not use the technical term ?outbreak? in speaking of the increase in known cases there, but acknowledged that ?anecdotal accounts signal ?an uptick? in cases in township schools.?

Because norovirus is not a reportable illness, the numbers sometimes get fairly large before school officials announce its presence, she said.

There have been outbreaks across the state, according to the Department of Health and Senior Services, including at Princeton and Rider universities. More than 250 Princeton students were treated for symptoms during February this year, compared with just two a day in February in 2011, officials there reported. Numbers of cases at the colleges have declined in March.

But in Montgomery, Branchburg and Hillsborough, the number of cases seems to be rising.

More...
http://www.nj.com/messenger-gazette...mp_in_cases_of_norovirus_the_stomach_bug.html

New Jersey - Norovirus cases 2012

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