The article below is a top story from this week's ACTION newsletter—Care Providers of Minnesota's weekly newsletter for members. The newsletter focuses on current legislative issues, regulations, long-term care trends, and other Association news. Each Thursday evening, it is delivered to your inbox. To sign up for ACTION, contact Lisa Foss Olson (952-851-2483). To learn more about membership, visit our Become a Member page.

 


Norovirus outbreaks—What can you do to stop it?


Staff photo
By Michaun Shetler  |  January 17, 2025  |  All members


In addition to all the respiratory illnesses that are going around this season, norovirus has reared its ugly head and is causing outbreaks in Minnesota and nationally. It is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. 

Norovirus is often referred to as” the stomach flu” or “food poisoning.” Common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, cramps, low-grade or no fever. The incubation period is typically 12-48 hours with a duration of 12-72 hours. Approximately 45% of confirmed/suspected norovirus outbreaks in Minnesota 2024 were in long-term care facilities. 

Norovirus prevention
  1. Remind visitors and staff to stay home while ill with vomiting or diarrhea
  2. Reiterate proper hand hygiene procedures with staff; perform basic norovirus education and remind staff that hand sanitizer is not effective against norovirus
  3. Have staff monitor residents for gastrointestinal illness, and place residents on appropriate precautions right away
  4. Clean up vomiting or diarrheal accidents immediately, using appropriate procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE)
  5. Consider postponing the transfer of ill residents into or out of the facility
  6. Look into having a sanitizer/disinfectant product that is effective against norovirus on hand in the facility (for ill residents’ rooms, accidents, and potential outbreaks)

Learn more about norovirus and access a helpful toolkit here.


Michaun Shetler  |  Vice President of Regulatory Affairs  |   mshetler@careproviders.org  |  952-851-2484




 



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Care Providers of Minnesota is a non-profit membership association with the mission to Empower Members to Performance Excellence. Our 900+ members across Minnesota represent non-profit and for-profit organizations providing services along the full spectrum of post-acute care and long-term services and support. We are the state affiliate for the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, and with our national partners we provide solutions for quality care.


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