12/18/2024
Media Contact:
McHenry County Department of Health
Nick Kubiak, Public Information Officer

McHenry County Department of Health encourages prevention as Acute Gastrointestinal Enteritis (AGE) outbreaks rise in schools and long-term care settings 

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) has received reports of an increase in outbreaks of Acute Gastrointestinal Enteritis (AGE), particularly in school and long-term care settings. The department encourages all McHenry County residents to take preventive measures to reduce the spread of this illness.

 AGE outbreaks, commonly caused by norovirus, spread quickly from person to person and can survive on surfaces for days or even weeks. This illness cannot be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of AGE include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain, typically lasting between 24 to 48 hours. Anyone experiencing norovirus-like symptoms should stay home while sick and for at least 24 hours after symptoms end. Staying hydrated is essential during recovery.

Good hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of this illness. The MCDH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), recommend the following steps to help reduce transmission:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before eating or preparing food. Hand sanitizers may not be effective against norovirus.
• Stay home from work or school until at least 24 hours after symptoms are resolved. If you are a food handler, stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms are resolved.
• Avoid preparing food for others for at least two days after symptoms stop.
• Avoid visiting nursing homes or other congregate care settings while ill, and refrain from attending social gatherings to prevent spreading the illness.
• Regularly clean and sanitize kitchen utensils, counters, and surfaces before preparing food to reduce the risk of contamination.
• When experiencing gastrointestinal illness, use disinfectants effective against norovirus. A list of such products can be found on the EPA's Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Norovirus [List G].

For more information about norovirus, please visit the CDC’s website.

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