Florida Outbreak; 234 Sick and Its Spreading

February 16, 2010

More Flagler residents report feeling ill


Staff Report

PALM COAST -- About 200 people are suffering symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or cramping in Flagler County as health officials work to find the cause of the outbreak.

While it has not been confirmed, it could be a Norwalk-type virus, a highly contagious illness often blamed for similar outbreaks on cruise ships. The best prevention is to frequently wash your hands throughout the day, said Patrick Johnson, administrator of the county Health Department. Those afflicted include adults and children from different schools but not all the calls are school-related, Johnson said.

"For some reason, we have had an explosive outbreak," Johnson said Monday.

Sick people should be isolated at home, he said. When they start getting better, they should stay home and not go to work or school for two or three days.

The virus is not airborne; it's spread either from direct person-to-person contact or by someone touching something sullied by the virus and then touching, usually, their mouth, Johnson said. The Health Department hopes to find the cause this week.

Florida Hospital Flagler has seen 34 people since Friday with a few coming in on Monday, said Lindsay Rew, a spokeswoman. All have been treated and released.
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