I’m sure you’ve heard it by now but we want to let you know one of the reasons we have “handwashing” as a scheduled and unscheduled activity at Just Like GRAMMY & POPPOP’s. We are so happy that Lauren, one of our teachers, spent some time to write this article to spread the word about the Norovirus and RSV outbreaks we are seeing in our area and across the US.
This time of year there tends to be an uprise in illnesses. Unfortunately, the State of Wisconsin, including Waukesha County, has a current outbreak of both the Norovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus, RSV. If you visit the National Outbreak Reporting System’s (NORS) dashboard from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), you will see that Wisconsin has the most outbreaks of emerging diseases than any other state.
Norovirus:
- Highly contagious
- Flu-like symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and cramping for 1-3 days
- Spread through direct contact, food, or contaminated surfaces
Many young children are being hospitalized with Norovirus, but there is no medication for it. Rehydration is important to make up for loss of any liquid. Fox6 reports, “Anyone suffering from dehydration should seek medical help. Symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing. Dehydrated children may be unusually sleepy or fussy and cry with few or no tears”.
Here is a graph below from the CDC that shows that the number of outbreaks is higher than in previous years. The red line is depicting 2024-2025, look at the peak!
What Can You Do/Prevention
From the Wisconsin Department of Health Services:
People can protect themselves and others from Norovirus by taking simple prevention steps.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, before preparing foods, and before eating.
- Handle and prepare food safely. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly.
- Do not prepare food or take care of others if you are sick and for at least two days after symptoms stop.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces with a household bleach solution immediately after someone vomits or has diarrhea.
- Wash soiled clothes and linens thoroughly
RSV:
- Highly contagious
- Cold-like symptoms: runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever
- Spread through direct contact with someone who has RSV, airborne particles, and contaminated surfaces
- Leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States
- It is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children under 1 year of age
Up-to-date vaccinations are the best way to keep children and adults safe from RSV.
Earlier this month, I attended a webinar titled, “What We Want You to Know: Quick Tips Every Childcare Provider Should Know” with Dr. Vavsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD from The Early Childhood Health Consultation in Wisconsin. Dr. Vavsaria made it known that Pertussis, commonly known as Whooping Cough, is on the rise, and Wisc
onsin is one of the leading states for cases as well. Vaccines and handwashing are the best methods of prevention for this as well.
Stay healthy and happy,
Lauren