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POLSON - Three Lake County residents, one an infant, have tested positive for norovirus, and 15 more have exhibited symptoms, the county's Health Department announced Thursday.

Aside from the infant, the other confirmed and possible cases are currently confined to two long-term residential care facilities, one in Ronan and the other in Polson.

But the virus spreads quickly and easily, Lake County communicable disease nurse Brigid O'Connor said, and she wants to avoid what happened in Billings in 2006, when thousands of cases were reported.

“Once it's in, it's hard to get rid of it,” O'Connor said. “Billings had a very deep and wide outbreak. Our goal is to prevent it from spreading.”

To that end, she encouraged people to frequently and vigorously wash their hands with soap and warm water, the best defense against contracting or spreading the illness.

It's especially important for people employed in schools, day care, food service and the health fields, O'Connor said.

Sanitary hand wipes and similar products are not effective against the virus.

Norovirus is usually not serious, but can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps and/or vomiting - otherwise known as the stomach flu - for one to two days.

“It's a remarkable one to two days,” O'Connor said. “But it rarely lasts longer than that.”

Dehydration can be a problem, especially among young children, older people and those with weakened immune systems.

O'Connor said the three cases were confirmed via Polymerase Chain Reaction testing.

People who do get sick remain contagious for anywhere from 2 to 16 days after the symptoms go away. Officials say it's important for those who have suffered the symptoms to not return to work for at least two days, and anyone in the food industry to not return for at least 72 hours after the symptoms disappear.

Most important, O'Connor said: “Wash, wash, wash your hands.”

 

Vanquish the virus

To stop the spread of norovirus, the Lake County Health Department advises residents to take the following steps:

- Frequently wash hands vigorously with soap and warm water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers are not effective against the virus.

- Stay home if you're sick, and do not return to work for two to three days after the symptoms (diarrhea, stomach cramps and/or vomiting) go away, especially employees in high-risk areas such as day care, health care and food service.

- Clean floors, counters and other areas where an infected person has been with bleach, and wash linens in soap and hot water.

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