Norovirus outbreak at CMC-Northeast

CONCORD, N.C. -- Local health officials are on alert right now after a norovirus outbreak at Carolinas Medical Center - Northeast.  Six cases have been confirmed so far and there could be more.

Outbreaks of norovirus often occur in closed areas, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, prisons, and cruise ships.  Once the virus has been introduced, the infection spreads very rapidly from person to person or through contaminated food.

Registered nurse Judy Lawrence, senior clinical specialist at the Cabarrus Health alliance, said the best way to prevent the virus is hand-washing, but people don't always do it the right way.

She says you should use soap and warm water, and not hand sanitizers, which aren't effective against the norovirus. Also, she says not to touch faucets with your bare hands after you've washed them.

Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The illness usually only lasts for a few days.  However, norovirus may be life-threatening in the young, elderly, and individuals whose immune system is compromised.

"In general this illness doesn't cause serious long-term consequences in most healthy people," said Cabarrus Health Alliance medical director Dr. Russell Suda.

(WCNC's Richard DeVayne contributed to this report.)