1. Norovirus– Safety First
Good Morning Ladies and Gentleman.
My name is Angelyne Carlton and I am a student at Walden University working to get my Masters in Public Health.
I received my undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona in Food and Nutrition and my emphasis in Dietetics. So I have a strong background in Food and Health.
I am very excited to be here today and I am going to be speaking with you about the foodborne illness Norovirus.
Angelyne Carlton, BS, CLE
Masters Student, Walden University
PUBH : Environmental Health
Instructor: Dr. Howard Rubin
Image from CDC images

2. Foodborne diseases are a large public health burden in the United States. The Center for Disease Control “estimates that 31 of the most important known agents of foodborne disease found in foods consumed in the United States each year cause 9.4 million illnesses, 55,961 hospitalizations, and 1,351 deaths.” (CDC, 2011) Norovirus is one of the top four foodborne pathogens that caused the most deaths, the most hospitalizations and norovirus caused the most illnesses. (CDC, 2011) As you can see from this firgure from 2006 – 2008 Norovirus caused 51% of foodborne illness outbreaks.
Reference:
Center for disease control and prevention. (2011) estimates of foodorne
illness in the United States: Retrieved from:
Figure 1. Pie graph showing Foodborne illness outbreaks. From “Known Causes of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks, U.S ,” by CDC, Reprinted with permission

3. Overview Norovirus What is it Symptoms Transmission Prevention
Proper Hand Washing
Treatment
Today we are going to be talking about: Norovirus: what is it, the symptoms, transmission, prevention, proper hand washing and treatment.
Since all of you are in the food industry: restaurant owners, managers, employees and cooks, it is vital that you understand what Norovirus is and how it can be transmitted. It is important to protect yourself and more important to protect your customers.

4. Learning Outcomes At the end you will know: Symptoms Treatment of
Prevention of
Transmission of
Tools for future use
By the end of this presentation you will be able to explain what Norovirus is. You will know what the symptoms, treatment, prevention, transmission of Norovirus. In addition you will have tool that you will be able to access in the future to help answer any questions you may have about Norovirus.

5. Norovirus Highly contagious virus
Most common cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks (medicinenet.com, 2012)
Norovirus, just like it sounds is a highly contagious virus. To be technical it is a virus that “contains RNA and is surrounded with a protein coating.” (MedicineNet.com, 2012) “There are at least 25 different strains of norovirus that affect humans. (MedicineNet.com, 2012)
Each year Norovirus “causes about 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis” which is inflammation of the stomach and intestines. (CDC, 2012) This is mostly among young children and the elderly. Also just to reiterate what I said earlier as well. Norovirus each year cause 9.4 million illnesses, 55,961 hospitalizations, and 1,351 deaths.” (CDC, 2011) So you can see the importance and urgency to make sure that safety comes first.
References:
Center for disease control and prevention. (2011) estimates of foodorne
illness in the United States: Retrieved from:
MedicineNet.com. (2012) Norovirus infection. Retrieved from:
From Google Images

6. Symptoms Common Symptoms (CDC, 2012) Other Symptoms (CDC, 2012)
Diarrhea
Throwing up
Nausea
Stomach pain
Other Symptoms (CDC, 2012)
Fever
Headache
Body aches
CDC (2012) Norovirus – symptoms. Retrieved from:
Now we are going to talk about the symptoms. The common symptoms are: diarrhea, throwing up, nausea and stomach pain. (CDC, 2012) In addition there are other symptoms that some might experience such as: fever, headache, and body aches. (CDC, 2012)
The difficult part when experiencing these types of more common symptoms is that it can be hard to distinguish between a virus and the flu.
Once someone becomes infected with Norovirus they usually begin to feel better within 1-3 days. (CDC, 2012) One of the biggest problems with this virus is that it will make someone very dehydrated due to the symptoms, so it is crucial to stay hydrated.
Reference:
Center for disease control and prevention. (2012) Norovirus – symptoms.
Retrieved from:

7. Transmission Eating contaminated foods or drinks
Touching contaminated surfaces or items and then putting fingers in mouth
Coming in contact with someone infected with the virus (CDC, 2012)
Like it was mentioned earlier Norovirus is highly contagious and anyone can become infected from it. Since there are about 25 different strains it is possible for a person to become infected multiple times. Norovirus can be found in your stool even before feeling sick and stay in your stool for up to 2 weeks. (CDC, 2012) People are most contagious when infected with the virus and in the first 3 days after recovery. (CDC, 2012) So it is important to know how this virus is transmitted.
Someone can become infected by accidently getting stool or vomit from infected people in their mouth (CDC, 2012). This happens by: eating contaminated foods or drinks, touching contaminated surfaces or items and then putting fingers in mouth, and coming in contact with someone infected with the virus.
References:
CDC. (2012) Norovirus – Transmission. Retrieved from:
CDC. (2012) Norovirus – Transmission. Retrieved from:
Image from Google Images

8. Common Foods Affected by Norovirus
Leafy Greens such as lettuce
Fresh fruits
Shellfish such as oysters
Any food served raw or handled after being cooked can get contaminated. (CDC, 2012)
CDC. (2012) Norovirus – Trends and Outbreaks. Retrieved from:
It is also important to know which foods are most commonly affected by norovirus. Leafy greens such as lettuce, fresh fruits, shellfish such as oysters and any food served raw or handled after being cooked can become contaminated. (CDC, 2012)
Reference:
CDC. (2012) Norovirus – Trends and Outbreaks. Retrieved from:

9. Prevention Practice proper hand hygiene
Wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly
Do not care for others or prepare food for others when sick
Clean and disinfect counter tops thoroughly
Wash laundry well (CDC, 2012)
CDC. (2012) Norovirus – Prevention. Retrieved from:
So the key here is prevention. We want to make sure that precautions are being taken day in and day out to stop the spread of this virus. So some steps that can be taken in prevention are: practice proper hand hygiene, wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly, do not care for others or prepare food for others when sick, clean and disinfect counter tops thoroughly and wash laundry well. (CDC, 2012)
Reference:
CDC. (2012) Norovirus – Prevention. Retrieved from:

10. Wash Hands Before: Wash hands before: Entering a food station
Handling raw foods
Handling ready to eat foods
Touching serving utensils
Serving foods
Handling different foods. (University of Florida, 2011)
Wash hands before:
So piggy backing on the topic of prevention I would like to take a couple of minutes to go over proper hand washing. Since everyone here is working with food daily and is serving the public it is imperative that proper hand hygiene is happening everyday.
So always make sure to wash hands before: entering a food station, handling raw foods, handling ready to eat foods, touching serving utensils, serving foods and handling different foods. (University of Florida, 2011)
Reference:
University of Florida. (2011) Proper hand washing for food handlers.
Retrieved from:
University of Florida. (2011) Proper hand washing for food handlers. Retrieved from:
Image from Google images

11. Wash Your Hands After: Going to the bathroom
Touching bare human body parts
Handling raw foods
Handling garbage
Using chemicals
Going to the bathroom
Touching bare human body parts
Handling raw foods
Handling garbage
Using chemicals
To continue on the same thought of washing hands before. It is extremely important to wash hands after: going to the bathroom, touching bare human body parts, handling raw foods, handling garbage and using chemicals. (University of Florida, 2011) Also just a little clarification on this part as well, we I talk about bare human body parts I am talking about your eyes, ears, nose or lips.
Reference:
University of Florida. (2011) Proper hand washing for food handlers.
Retrieved from:
University of Florida. (2011) Proper hand washing for food handlers. Retrieved from:
Image from Google images

12. Proper Hand Washing Remove jewelry Use soap and warm running water
Lather hands and arms up to elbows with soap for 20 seconds
Wash the back of your hands, your wrists, between you fingers and under your finger nails.
Rinse hands and arms under warm running water
With a paper towel, turn off the water. Dry your arms and hands with clean, dry disposable paper towels. (University of Florida, 2011)
So I apologize in advance, this slide is very wordy, but I wanted to have all these steps up for you to see and read them as I go through them.
So this is the proper way to wash your hands. This is important to know and do, so bacteria and virus don’t continue to be spread to other people.
Also as managers and owners of these restaurants it is crucial to make sure that all your employees are following proper food handling procedures and also just as important, proper hand washing as well.
So there are 6 simple steps to proper hand washing. (1) remove jewelry, (2) use soap and warm running water, (3) lather hands and arms up to elbows with soap for 20 seconds. (University of Florida, 2011) If you don’t want to count to 20, they you can sing the happy birthday song twice and that will ensure that you have washed your hands long enough. Step (5) rinse hands and arms under warm running water, and (6) with a paper towel, turn off the water, dry your arms and hands with clean, dry disposable paper towels. (University of Florida, 2011) Now if you have a paper towel dispenser that you have to crank or pump with your hand to make the towels come out, then before washing your hands, make sure to have some of the paper towels come down that way you can turn off the water and pull down more paper towels to fully dry your hands.
Reference:
University of Florida. (2011) Proper hand washing for food handlers. Retrieved from:
University of Florida. (2011) Proper hand washing for food handlers. Retrieved from:

13. Treatment There is no treatment
It is important to remember to stay hydrated if becoming ill with:
Water
Sports drinks
Sprite, ginger ale, etc.
Norovirus is a virus and there is no antibiotic to make someone feel better. So unfortunately there is no treatment available for it. It you or someone you know becomes infected with norovirus it is important to remember to stay hydrates using items like: water, sports drinks, sprite, ginger ale, etc. (CDC, 2012)
References:
CDC. (2012) Norovirus – Treatment. Retrieved from:
CDC. (2012) Norovirus – Treatment. Retrieved from:
Image from google images

14. In Closing… What is norovirus Transmission Symptoms and treatment
PREVENTION and proper hand washing
Today a lot of information was provided to you about Norovirus. You should be able to tell me what it is, how it is transmitted, what the symptoms are and how to treat it. In addition you should feel comfortable with prevention of Norovirus, this is extremely important. If you take away anything from today it is the key steps that need to be taken in prevention along with following the steps to proper hand washing.

15. Questions
I would like to take this time to say thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. I would like to open up the floor to any questions you might have from today’s presentation.

16. References
Center for disease control and prevention. (2011) estimates of foodorne
illness in the United States: Retrieved from:
Center for disease control and prevention. (2012) Norovirus – symptoms.
Retrieved from:
Center for disease control and prevention. (2012) Norovirus – transmission.
Retrieved from:
Center for disease control and prevention. (2012) Norovirus – trends and
outbreaks. Retrieved from:
Center for disease control and prevention. (2012) Norovirus –treatment.
Retrieved from:
Here are all the references that were used through out the presentation

17. References Continued…
Center for disease control and prevention. (2012) Norovirus – overview.
Retrieved from:
MedicineNet.com. (2012) Norovirus infection. Retrieved from:
University of Florida. (2011) Proper hand washing for food handlers.
Retrieved from:

18. Future Reading
News article and video on a restaurant with a Norovirus outbreak. cause-of-illness-outbreak-at-holland-restaurant/
Website from the UK that provides more information on Norovirus along with a video clip.
This is a website for Everyday Health and it provides links to different information and articles on Norovirus. norovirus?z=digestive/general/dlp&s_kwcid=TC%7C21765%7Cwhat %20is%20norovirus%7C%7CS%7Ce%7C &xid=g_dlp- v1t01
In addition I have added some links for possible future reading that you could do to learn more about Norovirus along with some links to more statistics, articles and videos.

19. Future Reading Cont….
Norovirus Surveillance and Outbreaks