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 need a host. Human, animal, plant cells, and bacteria are hosts.

WHY?

It easily spreads through a guest carrying the virus, an employee, another visitor to the hotel besides guests, or, although less likely, through water and food. Symptoms of this illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache, and joint pain. Often, these symptoms closely resemble food poisoning.

Although there is no specific medication, like other viral diseases, antibiotic treatment is ineffective in this case. At this stage, plenty of water should be consumed, light foods preferred, measures to boost the immune system should be taken, and medical help should be sought.

However, to avoid spreading 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 illness 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 inside the hotel.

  • Regular disinfection of all surfaces touched by hand (door handles, stair railings, elevator buttons, faucets, etc.) should be ensured. 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.
  • Housekeeping cloths should be separated accordingly.
  • A separate cleaning cloth should be used for each room.
  • Cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces inside patient rooms should be ensured.
  • 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, 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 ►http://www.isis-turkey.com/faydali_uploads/20121015005228.pdf

Number:32 • August 23, 2013

NOTE: The required actions may be more than those mentioned above. Important points are included in the reminder, but the order of importance may vary depending on the risk situation.