If you’re doing whatever you can to avoid norovirus– an unpleasant stomach bug that’s making its rounds right now– then you’re most likely ferociously cleaning your hands and attempting to prevent people who are ill as much as you can.That’s since this pathogen tends to spread out swiftly and stealthily. An individual often ends up being sick with norovirus (a common cause of the stomach flu) after having direct contact with someone who’s contaminated by the bug; they might likewise touch a surface that is contaminated with poop or vomit particles from a contaminated person and after that put unwashed hands near their mouth. (People with norovirus can shed billions of these tiny particles, which is one reason that it’s so contagious.)

But there’s another mode of transmission to be familiar with: You can pick up norovirus from your food too. Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When norovirus is circulating in your community– as it remains in lots of parts of the country currently– it’s also most likely that it will wind up on your plate, Benjamin Chapman, PhD, a teacher and food security expert at North Carolina State University, informs SELF.

Due to the fact that norovirus can cause gnarly symptoms– consistent diarrhea and throwing up, stomach cramps, queasiness, and a fever, among others– it’s worth being additional conscious of all the methods this bug may be proliferating right now.

How is norovirus transmitted through food?Most individuals who contract norovirus from food get sick since somebody who is or was recently contaminated prepared their meal or entered contact with the active ingredients, according to the CDC. Lots of norovirus break outs connected to food occur in dining establishments or at catered occasions when contaminated workers touch ready-to-eat foods, like raw vegetables and fruits, with their bare hands before serving them. Still, any food that’s just touched, even after it’s been prepared, can get infected with norovirus if a contaminated person is handling it. Norovirus outbreaks can also originate from food that’s polluted at the source or on a farm, like oysters collected from polluted water or vegetables and fruit that are sprayed with polluted water in a field, the CDC says. The foods that are usually linked to norovirus consist of leafy greens, fresh fruits, and shellfish.There are some food safety habits to bear in mind if you’re concerned about norovirus.Just in case you require a gentle pointer: Wash your hands well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before you prepare food or eat a treat or meal. If norovirus is on your hands, sudsing up correctly before they get anywhere near your mouth must kill it and, ideally, avoid illness.(Worth noting: Hand sanitizer does not work well versus norovirus, the CDC states, so handwashing is ideal, if possible.)It’s likewise essential to cook shellfish to an internal temperature of a minimum of 145 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure potential viral particles are eliminated. If you think that you have food in your home that might be laden with a sketchy bug (somebody made it who later on got ill, for example), it’s really best to toss it. Source link

How is norovirus sent through food?Most individuals who contract norovirus from food get sick due to the fact that somebody who is or was recently infected prepared their meal or came into contact with the ingredients, according to the CDC. Numerous norovirus outbreaks linked to food occur in restaurants or at catered events when contaminated workers touch ready-to-eat foods, like raw fruits and veggies, with their bare hands before serving them. Norovirus outbreaks can also stem from food that’s infected at the source or on a farm, like oysters gathered from polluted water or fruit and veggies that are sprayed with contaminated water in a field, the CDC states. The foods that are most frequently linked to norovirus include leafy greens, fresh fruits, and shellfish.There are some food safety practices to keep in mind if you’re concerned about norovirus.Just in case you need a mild suggestion: Wash your hands well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before you prepare food or eat a treat or meal.