Diarrhea on the rise

The Snohomish County Health Department has recently seen an increase in suspected foodborne illness cases involving norovirus in our county. Norovirus is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness and contributes to multiple foodborne illness outbreaks each year in Snohomish County. It is a highly contagious virus that can be spread through the vomit or diarrhea of an infected person. It can also be caused by raw or undercooked shellfish. 

Norovirus spreads rapidly in a small environment, such as within a home, a child care, or a food service establishment. Symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, projectile vomiting and stomach pain usually lasting for 1-2 days. Someone who has norovirus can be contagious for up to 2 weeks after they have recovered from symptoms. Additional information can also be found in the Child Care Norovirus Fact Sheet. 

As a child care provider, there are several things you can do to help prevent a norovirus outbreak in your facility:

• Do not serve or prepare food when sick – Someone with symptoms of norovirus should not prepare food in a child care while they have symptoms and for up to 3 days after recovery. 
• Proper handwashing – Norovirus can easily be spread by infected individuals touching objects or surfaces. Washing hands the right way and for the right amount of time will remove the germs that can be harmful. Make sure that staff and children are using soap and warm water and scrubbing their hands for 20 seconds each time they wash.
• No bare hand contact – Avoiding bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods will prevent the spread of germs from hands to the food. Make sure those preparing and serving food are using some type of barrier, such as gloves, utensils, or deli tissue, when working with ready-to-eat foods. When children are eating family-style, sit with the children to assist as needed to prevent contamination of the food being passed.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces – Norovirus can also be spread through airborne vomit particles. Many outbreaks have occurred in Washington State from incorrect cleaning and disinfection of infected areas. Wear protective equipment and use proper procedures when cleaning and disinfecting after a child vomits. 

Please do not hesitate to contact the Child Care Health Outreach Program. We can help answer questions. You can call us at 425.252.5415 or email shd.childcarehealth@co.snohomish.wa.us. 

ALERT - RECALLED ITEMS

Recall: WanaBana Fruit Puree Pouches May Contain Elevated Levels of Lead!

The FDA is advising parents and caregivers not to buy or feed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches to children because the product may contain elevated levels of lead. Parents and caregivers of toddlers and young children who may have consumed WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches should contact their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test. More information can be found here.

RECALL: PANDA-EAR STAINLESS STEEL TODDLER CUPS

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled about 1,600 PandaEar 8 ounce Stainless Steel Toddler Cups. These products are being recalled because they contain a solder bead with levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. The lid can also break during use and expose children to sharp edges and small parts, which is a cut and choking hazard. More information about this recall including specific items being recalled is available on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website. We encourage you to share this information with families. Consider testing children for lead exposure from these and other sources.

RECALL: CREATIVITY STREET CRAFT BUTTONS

The CPSC has issued a recall of Creativity Street Children’s Assorted Craft Buttons. These products are being recalled for containing levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website to view the lead recall and share it with your families. Consumers should stop using the recalled buttons immediately and contact Dixon Ticonderoga to receive a pre-paid label to return the recalled buttons.