Protect Your Community from Norovirus

This is the time of year when norovirus (sometimes called the “stomach bug”) is more common in Vermont. Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea.

You can help keep your community healthy:

1. Wash hands often with soap and water. Help children to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before eating or making food. Hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus!
2. Stay at home for at least 24 hours after symptoms are gone. If a person is recovering from norovirus, staying home for at least 24 hours after all symptoms are gone can prevent norovirus from spreading to other children or staff. Most people recover from norovirus in 1 to 3 days.

For more on norovirus and how to prevent it in your child care program, visit the Vermont Department of Health's norovirus webpage.
 
The Vermont Department of Health has also created and gathered resources to help remind parents and caregivers how to best prevent norovirus from spreading in child care programs. Download the toolkit for sample social media posts, newsletter blurbs, and fact sheets to share with the families in your program.