Tuesday 8 January 2008

Computer Keyboards Spread Stomach Flu

Norovirus, the highly contagious agent that causes the so-called "stomach flu", is passed from person to person through contact with commonly shared items including computer keyboards and mice (United States health officials report). The virus is common in winter, is the most frequent cause of outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhea in the US, and is often contracted in schools, workplaces and on cruise ships. It is second only to the common cold in terms of numbers of infections.

Last Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on a norovirus outbreak last February at an elementary school in Washington, D.C. when some of the victims picked up the virus from contaminated computer equipment.

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