CONOVER, N.C.,None — Health officials confirmed yesterday that about 135 customers of Harbor Inn Seafood in Conover had been infected with the Norovirus.
Earlier this month, reports surfaced that customers of the restaurant had been experiencing severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The findings come as health officials in seven other North Carolina counties revealed they too have lab-confirmed cases of the painful gastrointestinal virus. Among the counties with verified cases are Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Wake.
"It's highly contagious, so likely there are going to be people around you experiencing the same symptoms," said Dr. Michele Casey.
There are a few ways to prevent Norovirus from spreading.
Primarily, doctors say everyone should be washing their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before eating.
The virus often spreads from fecal to oral contact.
"It gets passed around where there is not excellent hand washing or hand hygiene," said Mecklenburg County Medical Director Dr. Stephen Keener.
While characterizing the Norovirus as "spreading" and part of an "outbreak," health officials could not quantify how many actual cases there are in North Carolina because many instances of the virus go unreported.
Symptoms typically last 24 to 48 hours.
WSOC
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