Just Say No to Norovirus!

Barf Bucket Food Safety Training for Child Care Providers

You may have heard of Norovirus.  You may have experienced Norovirus. You should know you do not want to experience Norovirus twice!

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Those who contact this nasty bug may experience gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). This leads to diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Some people may get severely dehydrated, especially young children, the elderly, and people with other illnesses.

Norovirus is commonly known as suffering from “food poisoning” or the “stomach flu”.  Noroviruses can cause food poisoning, as can other germs and chemicals. Norovirus illness is not related to the flu (influenza). Though they may share some symptoms, the flu is actually a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.

It only takes a very small amount of the norovirus particles to make you sick and it can spread easily and quickly in enclosed places such as day care centers, nursing homes, schools, and cruise ships.

Norovirus can stay on objects and surfaces and still infect people for days or weeks. It can survive disinfectants, making it hard to get rid of. It is important to clean up bodily fluids safely to avoid spreading illness especially in a child care setting.

Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Department of Education CACFP Program will be offering a “Barf Bucket” Training for Child Care Providers on Wednesday, January 25, at the Burt County Extension Office, Courthouse, in Tekamah; Thursday, January 26, at the Dodge County Extension Office, 1206 West 23rd Street, Fremont; Monday, January 30, at the Colfax County Extension Office, 466 Road 10, Schuyler; and Tuesday, January 31, at the Stanton County Extension Office, 302 6th Street, Stanton. All people that work with children in groups such as churches, libraries, afterschool programs, etc. are invited to attend the training and learn how to use the barf bucket and supplies properly

The “Barf Bucket” Body Fluid Cleanup Kit training includes information on how to use the bucket appropriately, and how to train your staff to utilize it.  Each child care center/home will receive one bucket which contains items that, when used properly, limit the spread of infectious disease. This information is designed to train all staff on the correct use of the cleanup kit. The class is offered to centers, in-home child care and pre-schools. A center may choose to bring more than one person but only one bucket will be given per center/program.

This training is designed to teach all child care staff and people working with children in group settings on the importance of the proper way to clean up bodily fluids to avoid spreading disease. Cost is $10 per person.

For more information on how to register for this child care provider training, contact Debra Schroeder, Nebraska Extension in Cuming County, at 402/372-6006 or dschroeder1@unl.edu.  Registrations are due by January 24, 2017.

SOURCE:  Debra E Schroeder, Extension Educator

RELEASE DATE:  January 2, 2017