Grand Canyon Reports 118 Cases of Gastrointestinal Illness that Closely Resembles with Highly Contagious ‘Norovirus’
The National Park Service announced that an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness has been reported at the Grand Canyon between the months of May and June, with up to 90 individuals experiencing symptoms that closely resemble norovirus.
Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis or the inflammation of the stomach or intestines in people. According to CDC, norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain and anyone can get infected and sick with the virus.
The National Park Service Office of Public Health issued an illness alert on May 20 while also advising visitors against using water from the nearby Colorado River, side streams, pools and springs, Fox News reported.
The alert stated, “There may have been a time when it was safe to use such sources, but no longer. Any untreated water has the potential to cause illness if it is not properly and carefully disinfected.”
The National Park Service released another update on the illness alert on Saturday. Below is the excerpt:
The National Park Service Office of Public Health has received reports of gastrointestinal illness among >150 private and commercial river rafters and back-country campers during April and May 2022. Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramping/pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms are consistent with norovirus, and we have confirmed norovirus from at least eight rafting trips.
Comprehensive control measures have been implemented, and since early June, there has been a marked decrease in reports of illness. We are continuing to monitor and investigate the situation in collaboration with partners at Coconino County Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus – you can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food and water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus causes sudden-onset vomiting and diarrhea that lasts 1–3 days. On rafts and in camps, norovirus can spread quickly. The best way to prevent norovirus is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness and ensure the safety of your drinking water.
Public affairs specialist with the Grand Canyon National Park Service Joelle Baird told Fox News Digital on Thursday that they are trying to determine the source of the outbreak.
“We have a cooperative with NPS Office of Public Healthy, Coconino County Health and Human Services and the CDC all working together to try to understand the disease pathway and looking in particular at river and backcountry trips along the Colorado River,” Baird said. “That’s been the primary focus.”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/06/grand-canyon-reports-118-cases-gastrointestinal-illness-closely-resembles-highly-contagious-norovirus/
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/safe-water.htm