Spike in illnesses--Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks

[GizmosMom]

Not sure where to post this....just read this on CNN and if I were going there I would want to know and take precautions:

CNN) -- Those vacationing at Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks this summer should make extra efforts to stay sanitary, the National Park Service urged Wednesday, after noting a spike in sicknesses among visitors so far.

In a press release, the park service noted "greater than normal reports of gastrointestinal illness" among those visiting the park in northwestern Wyoming as well as areas in Montana outside the two parks.

There also have been more than 100 suspected cases of norovirus -- which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes is "a very contagious virus that (can be contracted) from an infected person, contaminated food or water or by touching contaminated surfaces" -- among Yellowstone employees and another 50 suspected cases among Grand Teton workers.

The park service and all businesses servicing visitors are taking special steps given the surge in illness, including increasing the cleaning and disinfection of public areas and isolating potentially infected employees.

[bobsallyh]

We are at Yellowstone. CNN must be slow. This was reported in local papers at the end of last week. Seems like it came into the park in the Mammoth area by a tour bus. By the way, about 9,000 more vehicles passed thru the turnstiles in May of 2013 than May 2012.

[mockturtle]

I hope they know that the norovirus can still be contagious four or five days after symptoms subside.

[brirene]

Yet another reason I'm always happy to have my living quarters along with me.