Norwalk-like virus strikes Ketchikan
Public health officials investigate possible cases in Juneau as well
KETCHIKAN - Ketchikan is experiencing an outbreak of a Norwalk or Norwalk-like virus, and state health officials are investigating possible cases in Juneau, officials said.
Dr. Joe McLaughlin of the state Division of Public Health's Section of Epidemiology called on the public to report possible cases to the state. "The bottom line is how we can prevent more cases," he said.
State health officials began an investigation today into a cluster of possible Norwalk cases from Juneau, said Beth Funk, a state epidemiologist. Funk said it is too soon to know how many cases there may be in Juneau.
On Monday, the Epidemiology Section learned of numerous instances of people in Ketchikan experiencing a sudden onset of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, McLaughlin said.
The cases reported were affiliated with one nursing home, two elementary schools and two day care facilities in the community of about 8,000 people.
As of Wednesday, 34 people in Ketchikan had been interviewed by state health officials.
"What we have heard is that there are probably over 100 people who have reported signs and symptoms compatible with having this type of virus," McLaughlin said.
Stool samples have been sent to the federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta to test for Norwalk-like viruses and to the Alaska State Public Health Laboratory in Anchorage for parasitic and bacterial tests, McLaughlin said. Results are expected next week.
"We don't know for sure if this is Norwalk but we think the likelihood is high," McLaughlin said.
Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses are caliciviruses that affect the intestine. Common symptoms are nausea with vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. Additional symptoms include headaches, fever, chills and muscle aches.
The viruses are spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated by the feces of an infected individual, and are spread from person to person easily, according to state information.
Symptoms typically appear 24 hours to 48 hours after exposure to the virus, but they can appear as soon as 10 hours.