State Says Reports of Norovirus Outbreaks Up

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By KULR Staff
By The Associated Press

Story Published: Sep 23, 2011 at 8:30 AM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 23, 2011 at 3:32 PM MDT

HELENA - The state says it is getting more reports of Norovirus affecting schools, day cares, and nursing homes.

The Montana Department of Health and Human Services says several hundred people have been hit with gastroenteritis symptoms since early September. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea lasting 24 to 48 hours. Norovirus was found to be the cause in those outbreaks where laboratory testing was performed.

The state says there is no specific treatment for this illness and most people recover within a few days. It is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, especially in a group setting.

Norovirus was blamed for the sickness of more than 200 students in early September at a Billings elementary school. Nearly half of the 460 or so students called in sick starting around Sept. 8. Billings School District 2 Superintendent Keith Beeman said he doesn't think all 230 Beartooth Elementary students who stayed home were sick, but were kept away from the school by their parents as a precaution.

School and health officials ask that sick students not return to school until they've been symptom-free for a full day. For those in the food service industry, health experts suggest not returning to work until they've had three days without symptoms.

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