How Can I Prevent the Spread of Norovirus?

These simple hygiene routines can help you, and your family, decrease your chances of coming in contact with norovirus.

• Outbreak Control Forms and Guides for Hotels

Hand Washing

Hands must always be washed thoroughly using soap and warm water, and carefully dried, every time after:

• using the lavatory

• handling soiled clothing, linen or nappies

• before eating or preparing food or drinks

Personal Hygiene

People with viral gastroenteritis should not share their towels or flannels. It may be easier for them to use disposable paper towels during the illness for hand drying.

• There are some people, such as younger children, those with learning difficulties and the frail elderly, who may well need extra help or supervision with strict personal hygiene.

• Affected infants should wear clothing over their nappies.

Cleaning and Hygiene

When someone has viral gastroenteritis it is important that lavatory areas, in particular, should be frequently and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected – it is best to wear rubber gloves for this. Always wash hands afterwards.

• Special attention should be paid to anything likely to be touched or contaminated with faeces. This includes lavatory seats, flush handles, door handles, wash basins, taps, floors, tiling, light switches, potties, change mats, etc.

• Flush or discard any vomit or fecal material in the toilet and be sure to thoroughly disinfect the surrounding area.

• Gross contamination of linen should if possible first be flushed off with running water. Sinks and lavatories used for this process should be cleaned and disinfected afterwards. Finish the laundering with an ordinary "hot wash". Always wash hands thoroughly after handling soiled clothes or linen.