A MINUTE OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Wash Your Hands – Don't Share Germs!
Norovirus Outbreak in an Elementary School — District of Columbia,
February 2007
January 17, 2008
This program is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer,
healthier people.
Health officials investigated a norovirus outbreak in a Washington D.C.
elementary school. About one in four students and teachers developed an illness
with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Norovirus causes most acute
outbreaks of this type in the U.S.
This illness is usually spread by direct person-to-person contact, but
contamination of a shared computer keyboard and mouse contributed to
spreading the illness, in this case.
The spread of norovirus during outbreaks can be reduced by following these
recommendations:
- wash hands frequently and thoroughly,
- those who are ill should stay away from others, and
- shared surfaces and equipment should be disinfected between users.
Thank you for joining us on A Minute of Health with CDC.
To access the most accurate and relevant health information that affects you, your family and
your community, please visit www.cdc.gov.
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