KAUKAUNA, Wis. — Cases of norovirus, or acute gastroenteritis, have spread to the retirement community inside St. Paul Elder Services. 

What You Need To Know

  • Cases of norovirus, or acute gastroenteritis, have spread to the retirement community inside St. Paul Elder Services. The facility is not formally restricting visitation but said it is discouraged

  • The outbreak comes at a time where norovirus cases are surging across the country

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said norovirus is a food-born illness that causes inflammation to the stomach or intestines. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Symptoms typically subside within 48 hours

  • It is most commonly spread through contaminated food or surfaces, according to the CDC

The outbreak comes at a time where norovirus cases are surging across the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said norovirus is a food-born illness that causes inflammation to the stomach or intestines. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Symptoms typically subside within 48 hours.

It is most commonly spread through contaminated food or surfaces, according to the CDC. 

“Although we are not restricting visitation at this time, it is highly discouraged until further notice,” St. Paul Elder Services wrote in a statement on social media. 

Members of staff are working to mitigate the spread of norovirus at the facility, but it is extremely contagious and symptoms can occur suddenly.

St. Paul Elder Services emphasized that hand sanitizer is not effective in preventing the spread of norovirus. Instead, proper hand washing for at least 20 seconds throughout the day is key to help prevent the spread. 

The St. Paul Elder Services staff asked for patience and understanding as they work to resolve this outbreak. 

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