Were you injured in an outbreak of norovirus food poisoning? This virus is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal illness in the United States. Transmission of the virus occurs when an infected person’s vomit or stool gets on food or surfaces that many people touch. If you were seriously injured in a norovirus outbreak, you may have a norovirus food poisoning lawsuit.

What You Can Do & How a Norovirus Food Poisoning Lawsuit Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting norovirus induced food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured in an outbreak of norovirus food poisoning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE

July 2, 2012 – Outbreak of suspected norovirus food poisoning at a Notre Dame youth sports camp sickens 107 youths. School officials are working with the health department to disinfect dormitories and common areas that may be infected with this virus.

Overview

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is transmitted by eating contaminated food or water, touching contaminated surfaces, or from an infected person. Although it is not always the cause of food poisoning, it is often the cause — in fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that norovirus causes more than 20 million cases of gastrointestinal illness every year in the U.S. There is no vaccine to prevent the illness, no treatment once the illness begins (antibiotics do not help viral infections), and a person does not develop immunity after they are infected.

Transmission of Norovirus

Anyone can get sick with the norovirus. The virus grows in an infected person’s gastrointestinal tract, and it is present in the vomit and diarrhea of a sick person. The virus is also present for up to three days after the person stops having symptoms.

Transmission of the norovirus typically occurs when a healthy person gets the stool or vomit of an infected person in their mouth. This can happen by eating foods that have been prepared by an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, or having contact with an infected person.

Norovirus outbreaks are common:

• On cruise ships
• In youth camps, schools, or daycare centers
• In nursing homes
• On leafy greens (such as lettuce)
• In shellfish, oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops that are grown in contaminated water
• Fresh fruits

Any food that is served raw, undercooked, or handled after it is cooked could become contaminated with norovirus.

Symptoms of Norovirus Food Poisoning

The norovirus causes a gastrointestinal disease called gastroenteritis, in which the stomach and intestines become inflamed. Most people recover from the illness within 1-3 days.

The most common symptoms of norovirus poisoning include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Body aches
• Headache

The most serious complication of norovirus infection is the risk of dehydration, which can be life-threatening for young children, older people, pregnant women, and people who have a weak immune system. The first symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. To prevent dehydration, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to replace liquid that is lost during vomiting and diarrhea.

How to Reduce the Risk of Norovirus Food Poisoning

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers, going to the bathroom, before eating or preparing food, or after caring for someone who is sick. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can kill some germs when hand washing is not available, but it is not a substitute for hand washing.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. After diarrhea or vomit touches a surface, immediately clean it using a commercial bleach product or by mixing 5-tbsp to 1.5 cups of bleach per 1 gallon of water.
• Wash contaminated laundry thoroughly. Avoid agitating the contaminated clothes, which could spread the virus. Wear rubber gloves or disposable gloves to avoid touching the virus. Wash clothes with detergent at the maximum cycle and then dry in a commercial dryer.
• Be careful during food preparation. Thoroughly cook oysters and shellfish before cooking, carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and wash your hands before preparing food. Do not prepare food for others if you are sick, and wait 3 days after you recover to prepare food.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth

Do I have a Norovirus Food Poisoning Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, LLP is currently accepting norovirus induced food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured in a norovirus food poisoning outbreak, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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