Dozens Sickened in Nevada Casino Norovirus Outbreak

About 40 people have been sickened by norovirus while celebrating a wedding at a Reno, Nev. casino over the Fourth of July weekend, local health officials said.

The group reportedly fell ill with gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, nausea, and other symptoms of the virus while staying at the Peppermill Resort, Spa and Casino, according to officials with the Washoe County department of health. Members of the wedding party reportedly had traveled to Reno from California for the celebration when they became ill.

Other casino visitors also reported suffering symptoms of norovirus, but those cases have not yet been confirmed, officials said. The casino is cooperating with authorities working to track down the source of the illnesses. The casino’s cleaning procedures and other measures are being examined to determine whether they were to blame for the spread of norovirus.

Noroviruses are a highly contagious collection of viruses that result in acute gastroenteritis – also called the stomach flu — in people. It is most often transmitted through food or drinks which are prepared in unsanitary conditions, such as inadequate hand washing by cooks. Also, touching or otherwise coming into contact with contaminated surfaces or infected individuals also may allow norovirus to be transmitted to people.

Symptoms of norovirus generally appear 24 to 48 hours after exposure and generally pass within one or two days without need for medical treatment. However, some people infected become dehydrated due to excessive vomiting.

People infected with norovirus are contagious from the time they begin feeling ill until three or more days and up to a week have passed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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