The Most Common Foodborne Illnesses

Norovirus

Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Patients are contagious for a few days after recovery, and even two weeks after. Norovirus is more common in the winter months, spreading more easily indoors and in enclosed areas with concentrated groups, such as cruise ships, schools, and offices. It is spread through contact with infected individuals, by eating contaminated food or drink, and through touching contaminated surfaces then touching your face, mouth, or nose.

Prevention methods include thorough and regular hand washing, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, and thoroughly cooking meats and seafood, avoiding food preparation for others when sick, and staying home when sick.

Although health departments are not currently required to report individual cases of norovirus, they are encouraged to report outbreaks to established reporting systems. There is a definite jump in numbers of illnesses from this virus in 2009, from one thousand in 2008 to over two thousand in 2009, and yearly upward progression since then.

Continue reading to reveal another of the most common foodborne illnesses now.