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The California Department of Public Health is working with local public health departments across the state to help control norovirus outbreaks that have increased in the past few weeks, and are occurring in schools and other institutional settings.
Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread quickly in settings where people come in close contact with each other such as cruise ships, daycare centers, schools and health care facilities. It is the leading cause of gastrointestinal illness in the U.S.
“Norovirus outbreaks usually have an annual peak like we are seeing now. They can be particularly large and disruptive in schools, affecting both students and teachers,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Norovirus is very infectious and can spread rapidly wherever people congregate and share food and bathroom facilities. Fortunately, most people with norovirus infection will recover quickly, usually in one to three days.”
Norovirus activity is seasonal and typically peaks in late winter or spring each year. A peak in May is somewhat later than usual.
CDPH is working with local health departments to help ensure the impacted schools are properly disinfected to contain the virus.
Norovirus can remain in a person’s body for up to two weeks after that person feels better. It can also stay on surfaces for a long time so proper disinfection is essential to stop the spread.
Most norovirus illnesses do not require medical care and go undiagnosed. Data on the current number of norovirus disease cases, is therefore, not available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are between 19 to 21 million cases of norovirus illness each year in the U.S.
Additionally, the CDC estimates that norovirus contributes to 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570-800 deaths each year in the U.S.
CDPH does not have data on the number of cases in the state during this current outbreak because state and local health departments are not required to report individual norovirus cases.
Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
While most people with norovirus get better within one to three days, the virus can make a person feel extremely ill with vomiting and diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses.
Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy. It is important that children with norovirus stay well-hydrated.
Fortunately, norovirus illnesses are usually self-limiting and resolve with supportive care.
The best ways to stop transmission from occurring is to properly wash hands and handle food safely. Infected people should stay at home when they’re sick, and avoid caring for other people and preparing food for others during illness and for at least two days after symptoms stop.
Surfaces and objects in contact with vomit or diarrhea should be disinfected with a bleach solution or washed in a washing machine with detergent. Wear gloves and wash hands carefully after any contact with contaminated objects.
For more information about norovirus, please visit the CDPH Web site or the CDC Web site.
As fire season heats up across the country, a group of more than 1,000 wives and girlfriends of wildland firefighters have stepped up to raise money for those who are injured on the job with a virtual 5k run/walk.
Show your support for the men and women who battle the fires that threaten America’s natural resources and communities by participating in the Holding the Line 5k Run/Walk.
This virtual event is open to participants of any age and ability, located anywhere in the United States. All you need a sturdy pair of running shoes or walking shoes and the desire to give back to the brave men and women who hold the line to protect others.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event will go to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation's Fallen and Injured Grant Fund.
To participate, visit https://epicraces.com/events/holding-the-line/ by June 10, head to your chosen venue for your Holding the Line 5k run/walk, start and finish your race, and share your results on social media with the hashtag #holdingtheline5k to spread awareness and celebrate your accomplishment.
The Holding the Line 5K Run/Walk is hosted by Spouses and Partners of Wildland Firefighters, an online community who are dedicated to supporting other spouses and partners of wildland firefighters.
Since the group’s beginning in 2012, its members have worked closely with the Wildland Firefighter Foundation to raise funds to support the foundation's mission.
Are you a wife or serious girlfriend of a wildland firefighter? Join the community on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/spousesandpartnersofwff/ . You’ll also find the Spouses and Partners of Wildland Firefighters on Instagram and Twitter at @spofwff and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/holdingthelineathome/ .
The main focus of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and to assist injured firefighters and their families.
The Wildland Firefighter Foundation honors and acknowledge past, present, and future members of the wildland firefighting community and partners with private and interagency organizations to bring recognition to wildland firefighters.
For more information about the Wildland Firefighter Foundation or to contribute monetarily, please visit http://wffoundation.org .
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest is hosting a community conversation on the development of the Black Butte River and Cold Creek Comprehensive River Management Plan, or CRMP.
The community conversation will be held at the Willits City Hall, 111 E. Commercial St., on Tuesday, June 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
At the community conversation, the public will receive information about key requirements of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 and points on the Black Butte River designation, have discussions with natural resource specialists and be given an opportunity to provide input on the CRMP.
Public participation during the development of the CRMP will help determine how best to manage the river into the future.
The Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act (PL 109-362) of 2006 designated the Black Butte and Cold Creek as Wild and Scenic River Segments.
A CRMP is required by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 for each segment to provide for the protection of the river values.
The CRMP will focus on protecting the river’s free-flowing condition and water quality as well as the outstanding remarkable values and classification for which the river was designated.
Details are available on the project Web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=50351 .
Questions may be directed to the project lead, Hilda Kwan, district hydrologist, 10025 Elk Mountain Rd., Upper Lake, CA 95458, 707-275-1413, or email at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The search for a Santa Rosa woman missing since Friday ended on Tuesday afternoon with the discovery of her body.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s volunteer search and rescue team found the body of 54-year-old Catherine Huberty at about 2:25 p.m. Tuesday in a steep area along Redwood Hill Road, according to Sgt. Spencer Crum.
Huberty, who had mental health and mobility issues, had been reported missing on Saturday, according to Crum.
Crum said that during the investigation authorities found that she had been captured by a video surveillance system walking uphill in the 2200 block of Mark West Springs Road on Friday evening.
The search and rescue team, which had been actively looking for Huberty since she was reported missing, located her body about 150 feet down a steep ravine in the 2000 block of Redwood Hill Road, Crum said.
Due to the difficult terrain, Huberty’s body had to be flown out by the sheriff’s helicopter, Crum said.
Crum said initial indications are that Huberty slipped and fell.
He offered the agency’s condolences to her friends and family.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a woman missing since last week.
The search for 54-year-old Catherine Huberty is continuing in the 2200 block of Mark West Springs Road, according to Sgt. Spencer Crum.
Crum said a video surveillance system captured Huberty walking uphill on a dead-end road at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday and she hasn't been seen since.
Huberty was wearing a black dress with a white shawl and she was pulling an orange-bristled push-broom up the hill with her, Crum said.
Crum said Huberty has mental health issues and is mobility impaired.
If anyone has seen a woman in that area over the weekend, or maybe picked up a hitchhiker that matches her description, please call Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Dispatch at 707-565-2121.
Huberty is described as a Caucasian woman, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 115 pounds, brown hair and blue eyes.
Crum said the area of her disappearance is very steep, mountainous terrain. They aren't seeking any volunteers at this time to assist in the search as the area is physically limiting where she could have possibly gone.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Temperatures will soar across the western United States early this week, surpassing even late-summer heat levels.
The recent period of dry weather in many Western cities will make it easier for heat to build in the region.
"A large area of high pressure will transport some of the warmest air since last summer across the West Coast early this week," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said. "Records will be challenged from Washington to California."
Rathbun said higher temperatures are expected from Seattle – which could have its first day above 80 F since last August – south to Sacramento.
"Portland, Oregon, could break 90 F for the first time since August," Rathbun said. The city will challenge Monday's record high of 95 F from 2001.
Even in late July and August, normal temperatures only peak in the middle and upper 70s in Seattle and the lower 80s in Portland.
Monday's record high to beat is 100 F in Sacramento, California; the forecast high in the upper 90s will come close.
Residents looking to beat the heat can head to the beaches, where a cooling effect from the Pacific Ocean will prevent temperatures from significantly soaring.
While the century mark is not uncommon in the Central Valley of California in the summertime, these conditions will be the hottest of the season thus far.
Residents must take precautions to enjoy the heat and sunshine responsibly.
The sun angle is currently similar to that of late July, making for a very high UV index and increased threat of sunburns.
Reapplying sunscreen regularly, wearing protective clothing and limiting time spent in direct sunlight can greatly decrease the chances of a bad sunburn.
Heat exhaustion is also a dangerous side-effect of the upcoming weather pattern.
"Anyone doing strenuous outdoor activities across central California should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water," Rathbun said.
While the heat will be most extreme in the lower elevations, the unusual warmth will lead to rapid snowmelt in the mountains, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jim Andrews.
"The melting snow will cause rivers flowing out of the Sierra Nevada to rise," Andrews said. "The Walker River near Mason, Nev., is expected to reach major flood stage later this week."
For those looking to dip into the streams and rivers to beat the heat should find other means of cooling down.
"Most rivers flowing out of the Sierra and across the Pacific Northwest are either flowing too fast due to melting snow or are too cold to enter," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said. "There is a risk of cold water shock."
The heat is expected to break after only a few days, providing relief to the baking West Coast.
"A storm will begin to cool the West down by the middle of the week, especially across the Pacific Northwest," Andrews said.
Faith Eherts is a meteorologist for www.AccuWeather.com .