GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Reports of stomach illness are on the rise at local emergency rooms. Health officials are warning residents and restaurants about the need to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of illness.
In the week ending March 8, patients with gastrointestinal illness accounted for 16.9 percent of emergency department visits, according to the Kent County Health Department. The four-year average for this time of year is 14.9 percent.
The uptick is not dramatic, but it’s enough for epidemiologists to send out an alert to food establishments, said Teresa Branson, deputy administrative health officer.
The health department is monitoring reports of illness and where patients dined, but has not traced any outbreaks to a specific source, she said.
Residents who believe they became sick after eating in a restaurant are encouraged to report that information to the health department by calling 616-632-7100.
The health department said the illnesses reported are consistent with norovirus infection, a common cause of food poisonings.
Epidemiologists are reminding restaurants to use proper cleaning protocols and to remind workers to stay home if they are sick. Under the Michigan Food code, food-service industry employees must be free of diarrhea and vomiting symptoms for 24 hours before returning to work.
Residents suffering from bouts of stomach illness lasting more than 24 hours and who do not feel they are recovering are encouraged to call their family doctor or go to an urgent care center, said health department spokeswoman Lisa LaPlante.
Prolonged diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration, and that can make a person lose interest in eating or drinking, which can make symptoms even worse, she said.
Patients and family members should take steps to prevent an illness from spreading, said Adam London, Kent County health officer.
“If you or someone in your family is suffering from vomiting or diarrhea, avoid contact with those who are not ill,” he said. “Although a surface may not be visibly soiled, the virus can live on this surface for long periods of time if not properly cleaned.”
If possible, the ill person should use a separate bathroom from other family members and should use paper towel for drying hands. The bathroom should be leaned with a solution made with ¼ cup of bleach in a gallon of water.
Other tips include:
• Rub your hands together to lather the soap, and be sure to really scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Rinse your hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dry them.
• After drying, use another clean paper towel to open the door, and then dispose of it.
• If you have been suffering from vomiting or diarrhea, remain at home until symptoms subside.
• Don’t prepare food for anyone else until you haven’t had symptoms for 24 hours or more.
• If sharing food, don’t use bare hands when handling foods, and use utensils to transfer food from container to plate.