Skip Navigation
Lewis and Clark County
  • Site map
  • A-Z
 
Reset
  • Home
    • Home
    • Air Quality
    • BIDS/RFP/RFQ/SOQ
    • Boards & Committees
    • Commission Meetings
    • Construction Projects
    • Elections
    • Fire Information
    • Flood Information
    • Jobs
    • Maps
    • Motor Vehicle Registration Renewals
    • Motor Vehicle Title & Registration Scheduling
    • Motor Vehicle Web Cam
    • Public Health
    • Sheriff
    • Zoning
  • Community
    • Community
    • Addressing
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Education
    • Election/Voting
    • Fairgrounds
    • Historic Preservation
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Sheriff
    • Taxes
  • Government
    • Government
    • Admin-Finance
      • Admin-Finance
      • Accounting
      • Budget
      • News
        • News
        • Blog
        • News Releases
        • Social Media Directory
      • Selected Invoices
    • Clerk and Recorder/Treasurer
      • Treasurer/Clerk and Recorder
      • Motor Vehicle Title & Registration Scheduling
      • Motor Vehicle Web Cam
      • Contact the Treasurer/C&R
      • Clerk and Recorder/Records
      • Elections
        • Elections
        • Contact Us
        • Election Forms
        • Election Judges
        • Election Results
        • Info for Candidates
        • Maps
        • My Voter Page
        • Purchase Voter Records
        • Example Ballots
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Tax Information
        • Tax Information
        • Property Tax FAQ
    • Clerk of District Court
      • Clerk of District Court
      • Additional Contacts
        • Additional Contacts
        • Court Approved Mediators
      • Additional Resources
        • Additional Resources
        • Information to Help You Through the Legal System
      • Angie Sparks
      • Up to Parents
      • Copies and Search Requests
      • District Court Calendars
      • Email Filing
      • Fee Schedule
        • Fee Schedule
        • HB 403 Fee Changes Effective July 1, 2013
      • Jury Information
      • Local Court Rules
      • Marriage License
        • Marriage License
        • Obtaining Copies of Your Marriage License
      • Mission Statement
      • Montana Supreme Court Opinions, Orders, and Briefs
      • Montana Uniform District Court Rules
      • Rules of Civil Procedure
      • Self Help Forms
        • Self Help Forms
        • Court Approved Mediators
      • Adult Treatment Court
      • Family Treatment Court
      • U.S. District Court
    • Commission (BoCC)
      • Commission (BoCC)
      • BIDS/RFP/RFQ/SOQ
      • Boards
      • Burn Permits
      • Calendar
      • Commission Meetings
      • Commissioners
        • Commissioners
        • Andy Hunthausen
        • Candace Payne
        • Tom Rolfe
      • Minutes
        • Minutes
        • 2023 Minutes
      • Ordinances
      • Resolutions
      • Watch Commission Meetings Live
    • Community Development & Planning
      • Community Development & Planning
      • Buildings for Lease or Rent
      • Contact Us
      • County Growth Policy
        • County Growth Policy
        • 2015 Growth Policy
        • 2004 Growth Policy
        • Lincoln Growth Policy
        • Citizen Survey Results
      • Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW)
      • Fee Schedule
      • Floodplain Development
        • Floodplain Development
        • Flood Insurance Rate Maps
        • Flood Insurance Study
        • 2017 H&H Study
        • FAQ
      • County Grants Program
      • Historic Preservation
      • Open Lands Program
        • Open Lands Program
        • Meeting Agendas
        • Committee Members - Staff
        • Completed Projects
        • FAQs
        • Conservation Easements
        • Project Flow Chart
      • Parks & Transportation
        • Parks & Transportation
        • City-County Parks Board
        • County Parks
        • Non-Motorized Transportation
      • Permits
        • Permits
        • Address Applications
        • Approach Permits
        • Encroachment Agreements
        • Flood Plain Permits
        • Road and Right-of-Way Abandonment
        • Septic Permits
        • Subdivision Applications
        • Survey Review Committee
        • Weed Management Plans
        • Zoning Variances, Map Amendments, Conditional Use Permits
      • Public Meetings
      • Public Works Manual
      • Special Districts
      • Subdivision Regulation
        • Subdivision Regulation
        • Current Regulations
        • 2016
        • 2013
        • 2010
        • 2009
        • 2007
        • 2005
      • Zoning
        • Zoning
        • Part 1 Zoning
        • Part 2 Zoning
        • Part 2 Zoning Amendments
        • Zoning Advisory Panel
    • County Attorney
    • Criminal Justice Services
      • Criminal Justice Services
      • Behavioral Health
      • Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
        • Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
        • Citizens Advisory Committee
      • Education and Reentry Program
      • Lewis and Clark County Criminal Justice Data
      • Pretrial Services
      • PASS Program
    • Disaster and Emergency Services
      • Disaster and Emergency Services
      • Emergency Notification System
      • Emergency Operations Plan
      • Evacuation Assembly Areas/Routes
      • Hazmat-Terrorism Response Plan
      • Fire Districts & Service Areas
      • Fire Information
        • Fire Information
        • 2021 Fire Information
        • Fire Preparedness
      • Flood Information
        • Flood Information
        • FAQ
        • Flood Preparedness
        • Floodplain Development
        • 2021 Flood Information
        • Valley Flood Committee
      • Hazard Maps
      • Population Protection Plan Maps
      • Potential Hazards
      • Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan
    • Education
      • Education
      • City County Schools
      • Historic School Districts
        • Historic School Districts
        • Auchard Creek
        • Augusta
        • Canyon Creek (Trinity)
        • Lincoln
        • Wolf Creek
      • Library
      • Superintendent of Schools
        • Superintendent of Schools
        • About Superintendent
        • Duties of the Office
        • City County Schools
    • Forestvale
      • Forestvale
      • Board
      • Price List
    • Fairgrounds
    • Heritage Tourism Council
      • Heritage Tourism Council
      • Area History & Historical Organizations
        • Area History & Historical Organizations
        • Augusta Area Historical Society
        • East Helena
        • Historic Places & Research
        • Lewis & Clark County Historical Society
        • Lincoln
        • Marysville Pioneers
        • Montana Military Museum
        • York Historical Society
      • Historic Preservation Funding
      • HTC Featured Projects
        • HTC Featured Projects
        • Trolley Car # 3 Restoration
      • HTC Featured Events
      • HTC Membership
      • Regulations
        • Regulations
        • Historic District Maps
        • Preservation Rehab Standards
        • Helena HP Demolition Ordinance
        • Scenic or Preservation Easements
    • Human Resources
      • Human Resources
      • ADA Notice
      • Benefits
      • Employment/Jobs
      • Labor Agreements
      • Lewis and Clark County Policies and Procedures
      • WorkForce Ready Training Resources
      • EEO Plan
    • Information Technology
      • Information Technology
      • Addressing
      • IT Boards and Committees
        • IT Boards and Committees
        • IT Board
        • Steering Committee
      • GIS / Maps
        • GIS / Maps
        • Maps For Sale
        • Completed Maps
          • Completed Maps
          • - Administrative
          • - Citizens Council Districts
          • - County Commission Districts
          • - Fire Districts
          • - Hazards
          • - Legislative Districts
          • - Public Safety
          • - Roads and Trails
          • - Rural Improvement Districts
          • - School Districts
          • - Voting Precincts
        • Open Data/Interactive Mapping Sites
        • Interactive Map Sites
        • Web Services
        • Aerial Photography
        • GIS Links
      • IT&S Policies
    • Justice Court
      • Justice Court
      • Justice Court Calendars
      • Civil
      • Criminal
      • FAQs
      • Forms
      • Jury
      • Links
      • Order of Protection
        • Order of Protection
        • Fillable OOP Forms
      • Payments
      • Prisoners
      • Record Searches
      • Small Claims
      • Ticket-Citations
      • Weddings
    • MSU Extension
      • MSU Extension
      • 4-H
        • 4-H
        • About
          • About
          • 4-H Council
            • 4-H Council
            • Council Elections
            • Policy Proposal Form
          • 4-H Foundation
        • Volunteer Resources
          • Volunteer Resources
          • Learn About Volunteering
            • Learn About Volunteering
            • Apply to be a 4-H Volunteer
          • Current Volunteer Resources
          • Professional Development Opportunities
        • Family Resources
          • Family Resources
          • Joining 4-H
          • Guides and Forms
            • Guides and Forms
            • Scholarships and Awards
          • County & State Opportunities & Events
            • County & State Opportunities & Events
            • Fair
          • Projects
            • Projects
            • Aerospace
            • Babysitting
            • Beef
            • Cake Decorating
            • Cat
            • Citizenship
            • Cloverbud
            • Dairy Cattle
            • Dog
            • Electricity
            • Entomology
            • Foods
            • Forestry
            • Goat
            • Interior Design
            • Horse
            • Leadership
            • Leathercraft
            • Livestock Judging
            • Outdoor Adventures
            • Photography
            • Plant Sciences
            • Pocket Pets
            • Poultry
            • Rabbit
            • Robotics
            • Scrapbooking
            • Sewing
            • Shooting Sports
            • Sheep
            • Small Engines
            • Sport Fishing
            • Swine
            • Vet Science
            • Visual Arts
            • Welding
            • Wildlife
            • Woodworking
      • Ag and Natural Resources
        • Ag and Natural Resources
        • Soil Testing
      • Family and Consumer Sciences
        • Family and Consumer Sciences
        • Food Preservation
    • Public Health
      • Public Health
      • About Public Health
        • About Public Health
        • Internships
        • Publications
        • Laws & Regulations
        • Privacy Practices
      • Contact Public Health
      • Board of Health
        • Board of Health
        • Meeting Schedule
      • COVID-19
        • COVID-19
        • Community Resources
        • COVID-19 data (vaccine, cases, testing, CDC)
        • Decision-Making Dashboard
        • Community COVID-19 Testing Clinic
        • COVID-19 Vaccine Locations
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • COVID-19 Guidance Information
        • Quarantine and Isolation Information
      • Disease Control
        • Disease Control
        • Disease Reporting
        • Disease in Children
        • HIV and STDs
        • Tuberculosis Control
        • Emergency Preparedness
      • Environmental Health
        • Environmental Health
        • Air Quality
        • Community Decay
        • Junk Vehicle
        • Lead Education
          • Lead Education
          • Soil Displacement Permit Application
        • Septic Systems
          • Septic Systems
          • Septic Permits
          • Septic Maintenance
            • Septic Maintenance
            • Assessment Form
          • Septic System Loans
        • Subdivision Review
        • Solid Waste
      • Health Promotion
        • Health Promotion
        • Behavioral Health
        • Bright App/211/CONNECT Information
        • Cancer Screening
        • CONNECT Referral System
        • Healthy Communities Coalition
        • Plan4Health
        • Pregnancy, Parenting
        • Tobacco Use Prevention
        • WIC Nutrition Program
      • Healthy Together
        • Healthy Together
        • 2022 Community Health Improvement Plan
        • Community Health Improvement Plan Portal
        • 2019 Community Health Improvement Plan
      • Immunizations
        • Immunizations
        • Adults
        • Children Ages 7-18
        • Children Birth-Age 6
        • Travel Immunizations
      • Licensing & Inspections
        • Licensing & Inspections
        • Food Facilities
        • Day Care, Group Homes
        • Public Accommodations
        • Pools & Spas
          • Pools & Spas
          • Pool Safety Awards
      • Mpox Hub
      • Water Quality
        • Water Quality
        • About the District
        • Board of Directors
        • Water Quality Resources
          • Water Quality Resources
          • Reports
      • WIC Nutrition Program
    • Public Works
      • Public Works
      • Administration
        • Administration
        • Residential Sign Orders
      • Building Maintenance Division
      • Roads and Bridges
        • Roads and Bridges
        • Construction Projects
        • FAQ
          • FAQ
          • County Maintained Roads
        • Rural Improvement Districts ( RIDs)
      • Solid Waste
        • Solid Waste
        • Open a C&D Account
        • Augusta Solid Waste District
        • Lincoln Solid Waste District
        • Scratch Gravel Permit - Tonnage Information
      • Special Districts
        • Special Districts
        • Fire Service Areas
          • Fire Service Areas
          • Augusta Fire Service Area Rate Request
        • Rural Fire Districts
        • Rural Improvement Districts
        • RID Frequently Asked Questions
        • RID Funding
        • RID Policy & Procedures
        • Water & Sewer Districts
      • Vehicle Maintenance Division
    • Sheriff
      • Sheriff
      • Administration
        • Administration
        • Employment
        • Meet the Sheriff
        • Meet the Undersheriff
      • Catering Permits
      • Civil Division
        • Civil Division
        • Civil Fees
        • Civil Process Information
        • Sheriff Sale
        • Tax Collection
        • Warrants
      • Community Outreach
        • Community Outreach
        • Burglary Prevention Tips
          • Burglary Prevention Tips
          • Avoiding vehicle theft: "Smash-n-Dash"
        • Inhalant Abuse
          • Inhalant Abuse
          • Dangers and Effects
          • Product List
          • Resources
          • Slang terms
          • Warning Signs
        • Internet Safety
          • Internet Safety
          • Bullying Online
          • Communicating Online
          • Computing On The Go
          • Defending Your Computer
          • Defensive Computing
          • Fraud
            • Fraud
            • 5 Common E-mail Scams
          • Gaming Online
          • Identity Theft
          • Sharing Images Online
          • Socializing Online
          • Spending & Saving Online
        • Latchkey Kids Safety
        • Safety Links
        • Stranger Danger
        • Underage Alcohol Use: Tips for Parents
          • Underage Alcohol Use: Tips for Parents
          • Additional Resource Links
          • Alcohol Awareness
          • Facts on how youth obtain alcohol
          • How can a community reduce youth access to alcohol?
          • How to help prevent your child from drinking
          • Warning Signs
      • Concealed weapons
      • Consumer Affairs
      • Contact Us
      • Coroner
        • Coroner
        • Board of Burial Preservation
        • Center for Disease Control and Prevention
        • Department of Public Health and Human Services
        • FAQs
        • General Information
        • Glossary of Terms
        • Montana Body Donation Program
        • Montana Code Annotated
        • National Missing and Unidentified Persons Database
      • Detention Center
        • Detention Center
        • Inmate Accounting
        • Inmate Mail
        • Inmate Roster
        • Transports
        • Visiting
      • Criminal Investigations
        • Criminal Investigations
        • Property and Evidence
        • Property Claim Form
      • Honor Guard
      • Liaisons/Coordinators
        • Liaisons/Coordinators
        • Chaplaincy Program
      • Missouri River Drug Task Force
      • Patrol Division
        • Patrol Division
        • Animal Control
      • Rural Fire Service
      • Suicide Prevention
      • Technical Services
    • Noxious Weed Control Division
      • Noxious Weed Control Division
      • Noxious Weed Board
      • Mosquito District
    • Other Government Sites
      • Other Government Sites
      • City of Helena
      • City of East Helena
      • State of Montana
  • News
    • News
    • Blog
    • News Releases
    • Social Media Directory
  • Services
    • Services
    • Site map
    • A-Z
  • Visitors
    • Visitors
    • Area Maps
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Travel Information
    • Tourism Activities
 
Reset
  • Home
    • Air Quality
    • BIDS/RFP/RFQ/SOQ
    • Boards & Committees
    • Commission Meetings
    • Construction Projects
    • Elections
    • Fire Information
    • Flood Information
    • Jobs
    • Maps
    • Motor Vehicle Registration Renewals
    • Motor Vehicle Title & Registration Scheduling
    • Motor Vehicle Web Cam
    • Public Health
    • Sheriff
    • Zoning
  • Community
    • Addressing
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Education
    • Election/Voting
    • Fairgrounds
    • Historic Preservation
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Sheriff
    • Taxes
  • Government
    • Admin-Finance
      • Accounting
      • Budget
      • News
    • Clerk and Recorder/Treasurer
      • Motor Vehicle Title & Registration Scheduling
      • Motor Vehicle Web Cam
      • Clerk and Recorder/Records
      • Elections
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Tax Information
    • Clerk of District Court
      • District Court Calendars
      • Adult Treatment Court
      • Family Treatment Court
    • Commission (BoCC)
      • BIDS/RFP/RFQ/SOQ
      • Boards
      • Burn Permits
      • Calendar
    • Community Development & Planning
      • County Growth Policy
      • Floodplain Development
      • County Grants Program
      • Special Districts
      • Subdivision Regulation
      • Zoning
    • County Attorney
    • Criminal Justice Services
      • Behavioral Health
      • Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
      • Education and Reentry Program
      • Lewis and Clark County Criminal Justice Data
      • Pretrial Services
      • PASS Program
    • Disaster and Emergency Services
      • Emergency Notification System
      • Emergency Operations Plan
      • Evacuation Assembly Areas/Routes
      • Fire Districts & Service Areas
      • Fire Information
      • Flood Information
      • Population Protection Plan Maps
      • Potential Hazards
    • Education
      • Historic School Districts
      • Library
      • Superintendent of Schools
    • Forestvale
    • Fairgrounds
    • Heritage Tourism Council
    • Human Resources
      • ADA Notice
      • Benefits
      • Employment/Jobs
      • WorkForce Ready Training Resources
    • Information Technology
      • Addressing
      • IT Boards and Committees
      • GIS / Maps
    • Justice Court
      • Justice Court Calendars
    • MSU Extension
      • 4-H
      • Ag and Natural Resources
      • Family and Consumer Sciences
    • Public Health
      • Contact Public Health
      • COVID-19
      • Environmental Health
      • Healthy Together
      • Immunizations
      • Licensing & Inspections
      • Mpox Hub
      • Water Quality
      • WIC Nutrition Program
    • Public Works
      • Building Maintenance Division
      • Roads and Bridges
      • Solid Waste
      • Special Districts
      • Vehicle Maintenance Division
    • Sheriff
      • Administration
      • Civil Division
      • Community Outreach
      • Coroner
      • Detention Center
      • Criminal Investigations
      • Missouri River Drug Task Force
      • Patrol Division
    • Noxious Weed Control Division
      • Noxious Weed Board
      • Mosquito District
    • Other Government Sites
      • City of Helena
      • City of East Helena
      • State of Montana
  • News
    • Blog
    • News Releases
    • Social Media Directory
  • Services
    • Site map
    • A-Z
  • Visitors
    • Area Maps
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Travel Information
    • Tourism Activities
    Admin-FinanceClerk and Recorder/TreasurerClerk of District CourtCommission (BoCC)Community Development & PlanningCounty AttorneyCriminal Justice ServicesDisaster and Emergency ServicesEducationForestvaleFairgroundsHeritage Tourism CouncilHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyJustice CourtMSU Extension
  • Public Health
  • Public WorksSheriffNoxious Weed Control DivisionOther Government Sites
  • About Public Health
  • Contact Public Health
  • Board of Health
  • COVID-19
  • Disease Control
    • Disease Reporting
    • Disease in Children
    • HIV and STDs
    • Tuberculosis Control
    • Emergency Preparedness
  • Environmental Health
  • Health Promotion
  • Healthy Together
  • Immunizations
  • Licensing & Inspections
  • Mpox Hub
  • Water Quality
  • WIC Nutrition Program

Noroviruses

What are noroviruses?

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause “stomach flu,” or gastroenteritis (GAS-tro-en-ter-I-tis), in people. Norovirus is also commonly known as Norwalk or the “cruise ship virus."

What are the symptoms of illness caused by noroviruses?

Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people also have low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. 

The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting from 12 hours to 5 days. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults. Most people with norovirus illness experience both diarrhea and vomiting.

How serious is norovirus disease?

It's usually not serious, although people may feel very sick and vomit many times a day. Most people get better within 1-2 days, and they have no long-term health effects related to the norovirus. However, sometimes people become dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhea and may need special medical attention.

 Children and infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to experience dehydration, hospitalization, and complications, including death.

How do people become infected with noroviruses?

These viruses are very contagious and can spread rapidly. Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. They can be passed directly to other people or to the environment (handrails, walls, toys, tables, countertops) where other people pick it up. People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:

  • Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated;
  • Touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then placing their hand in their mouth; and
  • Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, caring for someone who is ill or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

When do symptoms begin?

Symptoms usually begin about 24-48 hours after ingestion of the virus, but they can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.

How long are people contagious?

People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery. Some people may be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery. So it's very important for infected people to use good handwashing and other hygienic practices and not to prepare food while contagious.

What’s the best way to prevent spreading norovirus to family, friends, and community?

  • Stay home when you have symptoms.
  • Use a separate bathroom if possible and wash your hands thoroughly after each episode of illness.
  • Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach solution as described below.
  • Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated. Handle soiled linens and clothes as little as possible and with minimum agitation to prevent microbial contamination of the air and people.
  • Close toilet lids while flushing. This may help cut down on virus being projected into the air in tiny droplets of water. 
  • Do not prepare food while you have symptoms and for 3 days after recovery. Dispose of food that may have become contaminated. People in occupations that, by their nature, can easily spread illness (such as food handlers, daycare providers, and health-care providers) should stay home for 48-72 hours after symptoms stop. 

Can norovirus infections be prevented?

Yes. You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with noroviruses by following these preventive steps:

  • Wash your hands often, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
  • Carefully wash fruits and vegetables and steam oysters before eating them.

What is an effective cleaner and disinfectant?

Chlorine is the most effective way to kill noroviruses. Use chlorine bleach from a new bottle in the following concentrations for these surfaces:

  • Stainless steel and items that have had contact with food or mouth: Soak 10-20 minutes in a solution of 5 tablespoons bleach to 1 gallon water.
  • Nonporous surfaces (tile floors, countertops, sinks, toilets): Soak 10-20 minutes in 1/3 cup bleach to 1 gallon water.
  • Porous surfaces (wooden floors, carpets): Soak 10-20 minutes in 1 and 2/3 cups bleach to 1 gallon water.
  • Carpets: Pick up visible organic debris with absorbent material and discard in a plastic bag. Steam clean at 158 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or 212 degrees for 1 minute.
  • Textiles (linens, clothing): Remove visible organic debris with absorbent material and discard in a plastic bag. Keep contaminated and uncontaminated clothes separate. Minimize disruption of soiled linens and laundry to minimize aerosols. Wash in a pre-wash cycle, then use a regular wash cycle with detergent and dry separately from contaminated clothing at a temperature greater than 170 degrees.

How do I protect myself when using chlorine bleach?

Chlorine bleach is corrosive. It can irritate skin, eyes, upper and lower respiratory tract, and all mucosal tissue. Take these precautions when working with it.

  • Never mix bleach with other cleaners, disinfectants, or other chemicals.
  • Prepare bleach solution in a well-ventilated area.
  • Do not use a spray bottle to apply a bleach solution.
  • Use disposable gloves, mask, eye protection, and protective clothing, especially when working with more concentrated bleach solutions.

More About Noroviruses

Frequently Asked Questions

Preventing & Controlling Noroviruses in Child-Care Facilities

Preventing & Controlling Noroviruses in Long-Term Care Facilities

Norovirus Information for Food Handlers

Norovirus Website of Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

 

  • Home
  • Community
  • Government
  • News
  • Services
  • Visitors