Grand Canyon - Norovirus warning

[azbackpackr]

Grand Canyon National Park is warning backpackers and river runners that many cases of norovirus have occurred recently on river trips and amongst backpackers. They have issued this warning: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/safe-water.htm

I was on a river trip May 4 - 11 when 2 of the guides got sick, presumably because they filtered the water without bleaching it, whereas the water they gave to guests was both filtered AND bleached. I was on the trip as a "guest" not as an "assistant" so I was drinking the bleached water.

As a bus driver for that same company, I pick people up from river trips, down at Diamond Creek. Over the week following my trip I picked up two trips where people had been sick. In fact, I had to transport a man who was extremely miserable. Thankfully he didn't throw up on my bus. (Yes, we gave him a bag!) Starting about a week ago, I picked up 3 trips on which NO sickness was reported. I assume this is due to the guides being even more vigilant than before.

Norovirus lasts about a day or two, and causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, plus general malaise. According to the above article, we should filter the water, plus add 2 drops bleach, and wait half an hour. Also be sure not to contaminate the containers, and be sure to wash your hands. It's spread via feces, but could possibly exist in beach sand where many people have camped. You can also boil the water before drinking it. Be sure to scroll down the article to read all the decontamination procedures.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Thank you HAZ Medic for watching out for us, much appreciated!

[azbackpackr]

@SuperstitionGuy
Just passing along the info. River guides with decades of experience still got sick. It's a sneaky virus.