U.S. Stumped by Spread of Gastrointestinal Virus

Reuters ^ | Thursday, January 23, 2003 | Paul Simao

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

ATLANTA (Reuters) - U.S. health officials said on Thursday they could not explain why a virus that causes millions of cases of acute gastroenteritis in the United States each year appeared to be spreading more widely in nursing homes, prisons and other institutional settings.

In its weekly morbidity and mortality health report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said data collected from health departments across the nation indicated illnesses linked to noroviruses had risen in the past year.

The viruses, which are usually spread by fecal-contaminated food and water and personal contact, cause an estimated 23 million cases of acute gastroenteritis, including 50,000 hospitalizations and 300 deaths, in the nation each year.

Symptoms typically include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

The viruses, which often fail to be diagnosed or are misdiagnosed, have become a growing health concern after a number of highly publicized outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis on cruise ships sailing into U.S. ports.

They also were the most frequent cause of disability among soldiers serving in the 1991 Gulf War.

"This increased activity could be due to increased reporting or increased awareness, however when we speak to experienced health officials it is clear that what they're seeing is beyond that," said Dr. Marc-Alain Widdowson, a norovirus expert at Atlanta-based CDC.

He said CDC did not have the data to determine the extent of the rise in cases compared to previous years.

But investigations of more than 100 recent outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in New Hampshire, Washington State and New York City since the beginning of 2002 have revealed significant exposure to noroviruses, according to the report.

NO DRUGS TO TREAT NOROVIRUSES

Although there are no drugs to treat noroviruses, most of those who become infected recover with fluid intake and prompt medical care. The rare deaths that do occur are usually caused by severe dehydration.

The spread of noroviruses can usually be prevented by using a bleach solution to clean up areas contaminated with vomit or feces, properly disposing of waste and monitoring those who come into contact with infected people.

In a separate report on Thursday, the CDC released an updated list of recommendations designed to help prevent the spread of hepatitis infections in U.S. correctional facilities.

They include vaccinating high risk inmates, such as intravenous drug users, against hepatitis B and monitoring those who test positive for hepatitis C for chronic infection and liver disease.

The CDC also recommended the hepatitis B vaccination for prison guards who come into frequent contact with blood products and said hepatitis prevention programs should be made a part of health education for all inmates.

Between 12 percent and 15 percent of all Americans with chronic hepatitis B and 39 percent of those with hepatitis C were released from a correctional facility in the year prior to testing positive for the viruses.

[malia]

Its wonderful that the old deli's still exist - you can't match their quality, from start to finish!!!

I looked up scrapple -a mush of ground pork and cornmeal that is set in a mold then sliced and fried - and I bet it is delicious!

[blackdog]

Scrapple contains everything but the squeel. Ears, snouts, cheeks, internal organs, sage, spices, and cornmeal. The whole mess is boiled in a huge drum after gringing, poured into bread pans to cool, and then wrapped in wax paper to store in a cool place. Freezing it damages the true texture, but considering it's contents, who's fussy?

It has the weight and density of fruitcakes.

[KantianBurke]

garlic capsule?

[blackdog]

Mission name for the next space program manned by the Italians......Garlic Capsule.

[muggs]

My husband taught me that trick, opening the door with a paper towel. I told my son about it too but he said he had already been doing that for years. I think alot of people have finally figured out that the door knobs are filthy. We also turn the water off with a paper towel because everyone that does wash their hands had dirty hands first.

[norraad]

But seriously folks, you've seen vit.E capsule?

Well, same thing, only filled with garlic oil.

It gets in & kills the bad guys throughout your system better than the Drano, uh, I mean anti(against)-biotics(life).

[Redcloak]

Three words: Wash your hands.

Problem solved.

...that is, once those three words are translated into enough languages!

Let's start with...

"Lava sus manos." (Spanish).
"Wash yer hands." (Southron)
"Like, wash yer hands, eh." (Canadian)
"Like totally wash your hands, OK... They're like totally groady, fer sure." (Valley)

Pitch in everyone! It's for your health.

[Willie Green]

They're like totally groady, fer sure." (Valley)

"Groady"???

I thought that term went extinct with Sanskrit.