Almost 200 Yosemite National Park Visitors Taken Ill after Possible Norovirus Outbreak

If you are contemplating a visit to Yosemite National Park this season, therefore, it is time that you think twice. That is because hundreds of visitors get Ill after their visit to this coveted tourist spot in California’s Sierra Nevada ranges. Yes, you need to mull over if you have already made travel arrangements.

At least 170 visitors to the park have developed the gastrointestinal disease, which includes both tourists as well as employees. According to Yosemite officials, the visitors took ill after their visit to Yosemite. So, the majority of the tourists who had been to the national park have been plagued by illness, at least two confirmed to be affected by the Norovirus. The incident occurred in the first week of January as well as a drop in new cases in the last few days.

Both medical professionals and Yosemite National Park staff are on the investigation of the circumstances surrounding this incident at Yosemite. They are also conducting interviews of the people who was Ill and plagued with the ailment.

Norovirus spreads quite fast

The virus spreads too quickly via direct contact with an affected patient, via food, touching things contaminated by Norovirus, and even beverages containing the virus. According to medical professionals, the symptoms of this disease manifest 12-48 weeks after exposure to the virus. The park’s investigating officials improved the sanitation rules and protocols to prevent further spreading of the disease.

Norovirus is one of the common reasons why acute gastroenteritis occurs in people in the US, usually due to a bug in the stomach. This fact was corroborated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus results in approx 21 million diseases annually, especially in crowded surroundings like daycare centers and nursing homes in the country.

Symptoms of Norovirus

The common symptoms include intestine and stomach inflammation, pain in the tummy, diarrhea, and nausea. The other indications or warning signs of the disease are body ache, fever, headache, all of which usually last for 1-3 days. Therefore, if you notice these signs and symptoms, consult with a medical professional immediately. More so, if you have been to Yosemite National Park, of late.

Yosemite officials working to prevent the disease

The park has taken widespread cleaning, sanitation, and hygiene protocols to prevent the spreading of the ailment. The park officers cited that you could prevent the virus from spreading by implanting the following precautions:

• Patients need to wash their hands with water and soap often for about 20 seconds or so. If they do not find water and soap handy, they should use an alcohol-based sanitizer containing approx 60 percent of alcohol.
• If the disease plagues you, drink lots of water and get in touch with your physician right away. Patients who are affected by a visit to the park must avoid interaction with others as much as possible to prevent further spreading of Norovirus.
• Avoid sharing food, water, or other drinks until you get well.

Proper treatment and precautionary measures would help those affected by Norovirus after their visit to Yosemite National Park.