Norovirus outbreak at Idaho prison

BOISE, ID — Visitors and volunteers are being kept away from the Idaho State Correctional Institution due to an outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, according to KTRV-TV.


There have been four confirmed cases of norovirus and several more suspected cases, the story stated.


In an effort to curb any further spread of the virus, workers have been using bleach to clean high-touch surfaces around the prison, the story noted.


The visitation and volunteer ban could extend as far as next week, depending on whether or not cleaning efforts effectively stop the spread of the virus, the story added.


Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, head and stomach ache and fatigue.