Healthy Camping: Norovirus Prevention at Youth Camps Fact Sheet

Guidance for preventing norovirus at youth camps

• Establish a pre-camp arrival agreement requiring campers to be free of norovirus symptoms upon arrival; let parents know that they may need to pick up ill campers
• Instruct campers and staff on how to properly wash their hands; make sure that handwashing facilities have soap, running water, and disposable towels

Practice Food Safety

• Make sure that campers, staff, and food workers are trained in food safety practices, such as using gloves and utensils when handling or preparing ready-to-eat foods, beverages, or ice
• Do not allow ill campers, staff, or food workers in food service areas until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have resolved
• Campers, staff, and food workers should not cook with or consume untreated water

Clean Up Vomit and Diarrhea Immediately

• After someone vomits or has diarrhea, always thoroughly clean then disinfect the entire area immediately
• Put on rubber or disposable gloves, and wipe the entire area with paper towels, soap, and hot water
• Then disinfect the area using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label
  • If no such disinfectant is available, you can use a solution made with 5 tablespoons to 1.5 cups of household bleach per 1 gallon of water
• Leave the bleach disinfectant on the affected area for at least 5 minutes
• Then clean the entire area again with soap and hot water

Isolate ill campers and staff

• Isolate ill campers and staff from healthy campers and staff
• Provide separate restrooms and eating areas until at least 48 hours after ill campers and staff symptoms have resolved
• Campers and staff who are vomiting or have diarrhea should not swim or participate in recreational water activities until at least 1 week after these symptoms have resolved

What to tell staff, including food workers, about norovirus prevention

• Practice food safety
• Practice and instruct campers on proper handwashing
• Make sure ill campers and staff are appropriately isolated, and ensure they use separate restrooms and eating areas until 48 hours after their symptoms resolve
• Immediately clean then disinfect the entire area after someone vomits or has diarrhea

What to tell parents and kids about norovirus prevention

• Ill campers may need to be picked up
• Do not drop off ill campers or campers who have been ill in the last 48 hours
• Make sure campers
  • wash their hands often with soap and water
  • do not share food and drinks with others
  • practice healthy hygiene
  • report any illness to camp staff

Check out this poster and learn how to prevent norovirus at youth camps.

www.cdc.gov/norovirus

NCIRDig804 | 10/22/18