150 Grand Canyon rafters and campers sick after mass norovirus outbreak, rangers say

More than 150 people were sick with norovirus after rafting in the Grand Canyon, park officials said.

The National Park Service received more than 150 reports that river rafters and backcountry campers were sick during April and May.

“Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramping/pain, vomiting, and diarrhea,” park officials said in a June 25 health update. “These symptoms are consistent with norovirus, and we have confirmed norovirus from at least eight rafting trips.”

Park officials implemented “control measures” in early June, and fewer cases have been reported, according to the National Park Service. Rangers did not say what may have been causing the illness.

“We are continuing to monitor and investigate the situation in collaboration with partners at Coconino County Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” officials said.

Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach flu, officials said. It causes vomiting and diarrhea, and anyone can be infected with the virus, according to the CDC.

People can get norovirus after having contact with someone who has it, eating contaminated food or water or putting their hands in their mouth after touching a contaminated surface.

Outbreaks of norovirus are common, according to the CDC, because the virus spreads so quickly. Outbreaks are most common from November to April.

Noroviruses commonly spread in places where a large number of people are packed in close quarters, McClatchy News reported. Cruise ships, nursing homes, daycare centers and schools are common breeding grounds for norovirus.

Grand Canyon officials said tourists shouldn’t drink from water sources and should ensure their water has been filtered and chemically disinfected.

People can protect themselves against norovirus by:

• Washing their hands often

• Rinsing fruits and vegetables

• Cooking shellfish thoroughly

• Staying home when sick

• Avoiding cooking food for others while sick

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