By MIKE STARK Of The Gazette Staff More than 130 visitors and workers became ill in Yellowstone National Park in late June during an outbreak of a highly infectious virus at Old Faithful and Lake.
The cause of the illnesses appears to be a norovirus, a group of viruses that can cause stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis. It's the same bug that has sickened hundreds on cruise ships and caused earlier outbreaks at Yellowstone and Grand Canyon national parks.......
"We're very nervous systemwide about this virus. Not because it's life-threatening or severe, but because it's so prevalent," said Charles Higgins, director of the National Park Service's Office of Public Health.
==========
Meningitis Outbreak Widespread in W.Va.
Friday, July 9, 2004 · Last updated 5:19 a.m. PT HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Infectious disease workers at Huntington-area hospitals say an outbreak of viral meningitis is the most widespread they have seen in years.
St. Mary's Medical Center has seen at least 50 people who tested positive for viral meningitis in the past four weeks. Between June 1 and July 5, Cabell Huntington Hospital's virology lab had 60 patients test positive for the disease, which is much less severe than the potentially fatal bacterial meningitis.
Usually, there are no cases, said Anita Faherty, director of infection control at St. Mary's. "It's been a huge outbreak, something I've never seen in my 15 years of infection control," Faherty said.
Viral meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include severe headaches, fever, stiff neck, drowsiness or confusion, nausea and vomiting. In young children, the symptoms may include fretfulness or irritability, difficulty in awakening a baby or a baby refusing to eat.
M'Dear please add these to your list!