122 Sick in NJ Schools Norovirus Suspected
New Jersey's Hunterdon County Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness — possibly norovirus — in three elementary schools and a daycare center.
A county press release says the virus currently affects 122 people ranging in age from Pre-Kindergarten to adult. Although lab tests have not yet confirmed norovirus, the illness and how it spread is consistent with a norovirus outbreak. Since the onset of this outbreak in mid-January, county health officials have teamed with nurses and staff at the affected schools to conduct surveillance for additional cases and to review infection control practices. In turn, the schools are keeping parents informed through communications to the home.
Norovirus causes a gastrointestinal illness producing nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Most people become infected by eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus, or by touching surfaces or objects tainted by the virus and then touching their mouth. It is also possible to contract the virus through direct contact with a person who is infected and experiencing symptoms.
Norovirus, formerly known as Norwalk Virus, is typically short-lived in healthy adults, but it is possible for people who have weakened immune systems to become seriously ill. If you have legal questions about a family medical situation arising from this outbreak, contact a food safety lawyer at Pritzker Olsen at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or complete our contact form on the side of this Web page. We have years of experience in representing victims of foodborne illness.
