Islanders are urged to take precautions to avoid the highly contagious Norovirus which has appeared in Island County doctors’ offices in the past few weeks.

The Norovirus is actually a group of several viruses previously known as “Norwalk viruses” that cause what is commonly called the stomach flu. Norovirus is, however, unrelated to the flu. The illness that is caused by the virus is diagnosed as gastroenteritis.

Health authorities say symptoms of the virus-related illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Though unpleasant the virus is not likely to be fatal and passes through people in a day or two.

The main danger associated with the virus is the possibility of dehydration. This is especially important for the elderly, very young and those with poor immune systems. These viruses are regarded as being extremely contagious.

The total number of cases in Island County is unknown as state labs are not compiling data on Norovirus outbreaks.

Though dire cases are unlikely, several people, mostly elderly, in Clark County in southwest Washington have died from complications of the illness due to dehydration.

The virus received nationwide attention in the past few years when thousands of cruise ship passengers came down with the sudden and unpleasant stomach virus.

Norovirus is most commonly transmitted by ingestion. Transmission is usually from people touching infected food, materials or surfaces and then touching their mouths.

Once infected a person may exhibit symptoms as soon as 12 hours after contact. An infected person will remain contagious for as long as two weeks after they have recovered from the virus.

So far Whidbey General Hospital has seen one confirmed case. But Trish Rose, community relations officer, cautions, “With one confirmed case, we know it’s out there in the community.” According to their statistics 19 suspected but unconfirmed cases were attended to by hospital staff.

“We think we did a really good job of containing it,” Rose said. “We are still being very vigilant.”

Dr. Roger Case, Island County health officer, said even a single instance of Norovirus is noteworthy.

“Any case captures public health’s attention because of the widespread consequences of even one case,” he said. “We have learned that one case requiring hospitalization indicates a many-fold presence in the community, and because of the rapidity and ease of this spread, getting on top of this as early as possible is the only way to reduce the consequences of an unchecked spread of the disease.”

Case said prevention is a person’s only defense against the virus. Frequently washing hands, cleaning household surfaces with a bleach solution and washing fruits and vegetables are good practices to help maintain health. Changing and washing contaminated clothing and linens will also help to stem infections.