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Date Posted: 2-3-2012
This advisory is being provided to you from our Fire Chief Richard Pauley and the UMASS Medical Center.
Both Massachusetts and New Hampshire have seen a marked upswing in cases of acute gastroenteritis (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea) due to Norovirus in the last several weeks, and cases are being seen in essentially all regional hospitals. Norovirus is both highly contagious and difficult to eradicate, and can cause significant outbreaks in healthcare facilities. Given the magnitude of this outbreak, we need to take measures to protect our patients, our co-workers and ourselves.
While other diseases must always be considered, at this time all patients or staff who develop acute vomiting and diarrhea should be managed as though they have acute norovirus gastroenteritis.
Key measures to prevent the spread of norovirus are:
- Perform hand hygiene frequently using soap and water as norovirus is resistant to killing with alcohol
- Place patients with norovirus gastroenteritis on contact precautions until a minimum of 72 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Contact precautions for patients who are actively vomiting should include gloves, gowns, and surgical masks.
- Clean the work environment frequently including nursing stations, computer keyboards/mice, telephones, and break rooms with Saniwipes or Bleach wipes
- Do not come to work sick with vomiting or diarrhea. Employees who develop symptoms should report their illness to Employee Health. Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regulations requires that healthcare workers who develop norovirus gastroenteritis remain out of work for 72 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
- Avoid having shared/communal food in break rooms
Leon A. Gaumond Jr.
Town Administrator
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