14 DAY TRIAL // The National Park Service in the United States is now asking tourists to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks to be particularly picky about hygiene when visiting these areas. Park employees are required to do the same.
This is because a norovirus outbreak has been reported at both Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Throughout the past month, some 100 cases of stomach flu have been documented amongst tourists and park employees.
“On June 7, several members of a tour group arrived in Mammoth Hot Springs complaining of stomach flu and other GI symptoms.”
“Within 48 hours, numerous employees, whose jobs place them in direct contact with visitors, reported similar symptoms. Tests conducted on some of the sick visitors and employees came back positive for norovirus, the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S,” reads a press release issued by Yellowstone National Park on June 19.
Over 150 suspected cases were reported during the past seven days alone.
The stomach flu that sickened these people is believed to be highly contagious. Coming in contact with a person who has already contracted the norovirus is more than enough for an individual to also catch the illness.
“Norovirus is usually not serious. Most people get better in 1 to 2 days. Symptoms include stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.”
“This very contagious virus can be contracted by direct contact with an infected individual, by touching surfaces contaminated with norovirus, or by consuming contaminated food or drink,” the press release goes on to say.
Visitors and workers alike are advised to wash their hands as often as possible, and avoid sharing water bottles and hand towels with others.
Those already affected by the virus are asked to use disinfectants to clean toilets, sinks and any other surfaces that they might have come in contact with, The Examiner reports.
The National Park Service reassures that public areas within said parks will also be disinfected. It is expected that this will help keep the norovirus from spreading.