Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Outbreaks of norovirus are hitting Minnesota hard.
The Minnesota Department of Health said Monday around 40 outbreaks of the foodborne illness have been reported since the start of November. The settings include schools, restaurants, nursing homes and private gatherings.
While norovirus illness is commonly called stomach flu, it's not the same as influenza, which is mostly a respiratory illness.
Dr. Kirk Smith, who heads the department's foodborne diseases unit, says people need to remember to wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet, before consuming food, and before preparing food for themselves or others.
Smith says people who become ill can spread the virus even after they recover, so they should refrain from preparing food — commercially or for their own families — for 72 hours after they get well.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.