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February 1st, 2012 | 
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Norovirus
What is norovirus?
Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” or gastrointestinal (stomach and digestive) illness. Norovirus infection occurs occasionally in only one or a few people or it can be responsible for large outbreaks, such as in long-term care facilities.
Who gets norovirus?
Norovirus infects people of all ages worldwide. It may, however, be more common in adults and older children.
How does someone get norovirus?
Norovirus is spread from person to person via feces, but some evidence suggests that the virus is spread through the air during vomiting. Good hand washing is the most important way to prevent the transmission of norovirus. Outbreaks have been linked to sick food handlers, ill health care workers, cases in facilities such as nursing homes spreading to other residents, contaminated shellfish, and water contaminated with sewage.
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
Serious illness rarely occurs. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Diarrhea may occasionally accompany vomiting. Fever is usually low grade or absent. Infected people generally recover in 1-2 days.
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
The incubation period for norovirus is 1-2 days.
How is norovirus infection diagnosed? Laboratory diagnosis is difficult but there are tests that can be performed in the New Hampshire Public Health Lab in situations where there are multiple cases. Diagnosis is often based on the combination of symptoms and the short time of the illness.
What is the treatment for norovirus infection?
No specific treatment is available. People who become dehydrated might need to be rehydrated by taking liquids by mouth. Occasionally patients may need to be hospitalized to receive intravenous fluids.
How can norovirus be prevented?
While there is no vaccine for norovirus, there are precautions people should take:
• Wash hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom and after changing diapers
• Wash hands with soap and warm water before preparing or eating any food
• Cook all shellfish thoroughly before eating
• Wash raw vegetables before eating
• Dispose of sewage in a sanitary manner
• Food handlers with symptoms of Norovirus should not prepare or touch food
• Health care workers should stay home if they have symptoms of norovirus.
EAS Test
Carroll County Coalition for Public Health would like to announce that on November 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET, the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will last up to three and a half minutes. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. Carroll County Coalition for Public Health would like to ensure that all of their members and the larger public are aware that this event will be just a test, and not a real emergency alert.
The test is being conducted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of their ongoing efforts to keep the nation safe during emergencies and strengthen our resilience against all hazards.
The national Emergency Alert System is an alert and warning system that can be activated by the president, if needed, to provide information to the American public during emergencies. NOAA’s National Weather Service, governors, and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. The test is an important exercise in ensuring that the system is effective in communicating critical information to the public in the event of a real national emergency.
Similar to emergency alert system tests that are already conducted frequently on the local level, the nationwide test will involve television and radio stations across the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.
Under the FCC’s rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wire line video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally.
The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System.
Carroll County Coalition for Public Health along with FEMA encourages the public to use this event as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.
Visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.
Thank you for your assistance in spreading the word about the November 9th, 2pm ET nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System!
A video from FEMA about the test can be viewed at http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407#share_player
Functional Exercise June 23, 2011
C3PH in Collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Committee are conducting a Function Exercise on June 23, 2011 from 9-1 at the Delegation Room of the Carroll County Administrative Building. The overall goal of the exercise is to create a shared memory of a successful response to a regional public health emergency among the people of Carroll County. The Multi Agency Coordinating Entity(MACE) will open in the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center to respond to a scenario that involves a public health incident. All partners will have the opportunity to test their skills in the MACE as each participant will have an opportunity to function in various positions within the MACE. All Regional Coordinating Committee members old and new, municipal leaders, Health officers, Emergency Management Directors, or any interested members of the community are invited.
If you are planning on attending, please RSVP ASAP to Mary Reed: mreed@c3ph.org
April 1st Exercise Canceled
Dear Partners in Public Health:
At the recommendation of our Exercise Facilitators, the C3PH Board is canceling the April 1, 2011 Exercise scheduled to be held at the Carroll County Administration Building, Delegation Room. Apologies for any and all inconveniences.
This Notice is to serve as a postponement of the Exercise. We will begin our pre-planning requirements and a reschedule date will be selected.
Thank you.
Ellen Laase
Board Chair