118 cases of gastrointestinal illness reported on premises of Grand Canyon

Monday, June 27, 2022

More than 100 cases of gastrointestinal illness are reported at Grand Canyon. Officials state the number is alarming and at this rate, the virus might infect an entire river trip. A huge number of them tested positive for Norovirus.

Travellers going on a Colorado trip recently have been tested positive. Among them, there are also people who have gone on backpack trips. The team has also gone on the Grand Canyon National remote backcountry trip. Cases began to rise on June 10. Joelle Baird, a public affairs official cracked the news on Friday.

Cases of gastrointestinal illness were reported in May but the number is extremely alarming this time. Baird has also stated that faecal samples collected from 8 river trips tested all positive for Norovirus. The collection was done jointly by Coconino County Health and Human Service Department and public health officials. Baird has also indicated that most of the cases might be caused by Norovirus although there is no surety that all 118 cases are Norovirus cases.

Norovirus is extremely contagious and it can infect people in a blink of an eye. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Norovirus can spread with coughing or with the help of contaminated food and water.   

The officials also state that there is a geographical angle to this spread as well but the identification of the cause is yet to be done. Since Grand Canyon is one of the most popular destinations globally it is really important to sort the issue as fast as possible for the health of travellers.

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