There is a stomach flu working it's away around the Nation shutting down entire school systems.  How can you stop the spread of the Norovirus here in Michigan?

The Norovirus is a nasty stomach flu that is very contagious and has no vaccine.  This virus can live in the air we breathe and the things we touch.  NBC Nightly News reports,

The brutal stomach flu, which sends about 70,000 people to the hospital a year, is hitting communities across the country hard — even closing schools.

Our news gathering partner WBCK reports that the Norovirus has hit Battle Creek and Calhoun County.

There are mass reports of this virus from Maryland to Washington State.  The Norovirus can cause vomiting and diarrhea with very little warning.  One minute you're fine, the next...well, you know.  The Norovirus is responsible for 21 million illnesses and 800 deaths a year according to the CDC.

Below is info on how to protect yourself and others from the Norovirus from the CDC.

  • Practice proper hand hygiene
    Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers and always before eating or preparing food. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. These alcohol-based products can help reduce the number of germs on your hands, but they are not a substitute for washing with soap and water.
  • Take care in the kitchen
    Carefully rinse fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating.
  • Do not prepare food while infected
    People with norovirus illness should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for at least 2 days after they recover from their illness. Also see For Food Workers: Norovirus and Working with Food.
  • Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces
    After throwing up or having diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label. If no such cleaning product is available, you can use a solution made with 5 tablespoons to 1.5 cups of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.
  • Wash laundry thoroughly

You can contract this very contagious virus from consuming food or beverages, touching surfaces or objects or having contact with a person that is contaminated with the virus.


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