Norovirus prevention

S.C Department of Health and Environmental Control announced last week that public health professionals have seen a four-fold increase in the usual number of diarrhea outbreaks since early January.

The condition is caused by Norovirus, commonly known as “the cruise ship virus.”

Norovirous is the common cause of both individual cases and outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis that have been seen throughout the county.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic and other health authorities “frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness.”

Hand washing is a basic personal hygiene practice, should be mastered by everyone and most importantly carried out after every restroom visit.

 Another effective method is the use of alcohol based (62%) waterless hand sanitizers.

 We see hand sanitizers in more and more facilities than every before.

 Their use should continue to be encouraged by placement near a door or near a facility entrance.  

In addition to hand washing after restroom use is to wash hands during food preparation.

The combination of restroom use and food preparation sets up a situation where transmission of Norovirus is too easily passed from hands to food to consumer.

  Hand washing should also happen before eating, treating wounds or giving medicine, touching a sick or injured person and inserting or removing contact lenses.

 The best way to wash hands is to use soap and warm, running water for 15-20 seconds while rubbing all surfaces completely.

Parents need to instill these practices in children during potty training.

This should be re-enforced in kindergarten and elementary school.

Adolescents and ages upward should practice hand washing as a matter of “common sense” and community courtesy.

 This is where prevention starts and is a key to avoiding the “cruise ship virus” disease.

 What we should work toward is making Norovirus obsolete … not hand washing!

Covia L. Stanley, M.D., M.Div.

Region Health Director

Denim, Diamonds Ball

We are so grateful for the wonderful press you have given us with regards to the Denim and Diamonds Ball for Saint Frances Animal Center.

 Our community support, both by business donations, sponsorships, and attendees helped us in our efforts to continue with our necessary services to take care of our many formerly abused and neglected animals at the center.

The fun evening was well worth the many hours of dedication and hard work by all.

 One photo is worth a thousand words … and the cover photo in Wednesday’s paper certainly told it all.

Thank you again to our many friends.

With highest regards,

Anne Hartis

Chairman  Denim and

Diamonds Ball

Thanking City officials

The City of Georgetown has been very helpful to my company and some property owners recently.

There was a problem with the sewer system involving three property owners which needed immediate attention but to which an immediate solution was not apparent.

Councilwoman Jeanette Ard brought my company, property owners, and city officials together and urged us to work toward a common goal.  This we did.

We would like to thank Manager Chris Eldridge, Building Inspector Ricky Martin and Water Department Head Lane Mixon for there cooperation, their help and their patience.

We would also like to thank Ms. Ard for bringing us together.

D I Wilson, Owner

D I Wilson Co Inc.