Preventing Rotavirus
Fact Sheet PDF
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Rotavirus is spread most often when objects contaminated
with feces are placed into the mouth. A person is contagious for
as long as they are shedding the virus in their stool (up to 21 days).
Respiratory transmission may also have a role in the disease.
Rotavirus can survive for several days on smooth
surfaces. To prevent its spread, wash away all vomit or feces from
contaminated surfaces, especially diaper changing tables, and disinfect
with a germ-killing product.
Wash hands well with soap after changing children's
diapers.
Wash hands well with soap before eating, preparing food,
or feeding infants or children.
It is important that feces and vomit is disposed of
quickly and not allowed to dry or splash. Any person with diarrhea
should stay away from others and should not prepare food for at least
two days after symptoms have stopped.
If handling food cannot be avoided, ill persons should
carefully wash their hands with soap before handling food, after going
to the toilet, and before feeding others.
Infants or children who are sick with any diarrheal
illness should remain out of day care or school until their symptoms
have resolved. |
Prevention Recommendations
- Thoroughly wash hands before preparing food, after using the
bathroom, and after changing diapers or cleaning up vomit
- Disinfect diaper changing tables regularly
- Exclude children with diarrhea from school or child care
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