HOTELS and NOROVIRUS

WHAT IS IT?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Viruses are microscopic particles that can infect living cells. They cannot reproduce on their own and require a host. Humans, animals, plant cells, and bacteria serve as hosts.

WHY?

As summer gives way to autumn, virus outbreaks have started to appear again on news channels. Especially in Europe and our country, Norovirus (Norwalk Virus), also known as stomach flu, is drawing attention with increasing cases. The virus easily spreads through contaminated water, food, and any surfaces touched by hands.

The symptoms of this disease include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache, and joint pain. Often, these symptoms closely resemble food poisoning, raising suspicion. There is no specific medication for this illness, and as with other viral diseases, antibiotic treatment is ineffective.

At this stage, plenty of water should be consumed, light foods preferred, measures to boost the immune system taken, and medical help sought. However, to avoid transmitting the disease to another host, it is recommended that the sick person pay attention to personal hygiene rules and avoid crowded environments for approximately 72 hours.

WHEN?

After infection, symptoms begin to appear within the incubation period of 24-48 hours. The disease symptoms continue for 12-60 hours, after which recovery is expected.

HOW?

The risk of disease spread is very high in public transportation, mass consumption areas, and accommodation facilities such as hotels. Procedures may vary depending on whether there is an outbreak within the hotel.

  • All surfaces touched by hands (door handles, stair railings, elevator buttons, faucets, etc.) should be regularly disinfected. At this stage, chlorine-based or another chemical effective against viruses can be used.
  • All surfaces of general area restrooms and children’s clubs should be wiped with chlorine-based disinfectant and this process should be frequently repeated throughout the day.
  • Cleaning cloths should be separated by service area.
  • A separate cleaning cloth should be used for each room.
  • All surfaces inside patient rooms should be cleaned and disinfected.
  • Trash bins should be provided in general area restrooms, pool sides, children’s clubs, etc., exclusively for soiled diapers.
  • Cleaning of areas contaminated with feces and vomit should be done with protective clothing, and after cleaning, the area should be disinfected with chlorinated water within a 2-meter radius. Used cloths, mops, protective gloves, and other cleaning materials should be separated and thoroughly disinfected or disposable cleaning materials should be preferred.
  • Contaminated textiles and clean textiles should be washed separately, and good laundry practices should be observed.
  • Personnel involved in food preparation should pay attention to personal and hand hygiene.

RECORD KEEPING

The list of patients within the facility must be recorded. For the relevant record form, please click here.

NOTE: The required measures may be more than those mentioned above.