Marathon County Health Department Detects High Levels of Norovirus in Wausau’s Water Supply

Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Officials with the Marathon County Health Department have detected high levels of norovirus in the city’s wastewater supply.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Norovirus, commonly known as the stomach flu, is a highly contagious virus often transmitted through food. Infected people often display symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, which can last for up to three days.

Marathon County Environmental Health Official Dale Grosskreutz says central Wisconsin has become one of the places in the country with the highest amount of spread this season.

“Of all the places in the nation that are doing this type of sampling we’re in the upper third which is considered high for us and what we wanted to do was get the message out to individuals that work in food in service or even just people in their own homes that Norovirus is present cause it is such a communicable disease.”

Grosskreutz noted that no medication can treat specifically the Norovirus but staying hydrated and watching your symptoms is an effective way to naturally combat the virus. If medication is needed he stated that anti-diarrhea medicines can help control symptoms until the virus passes.

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