Norovirus sickens hikers near Wrightwood

Newsweek reported on May 20 that a suspected norovirus outbreak had sickened hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail near Wrightwood, California, citing local reporting by SFGate. The illnesses began surfacing around May 8 on a stretch of trail near Swarthout Valley, between Cajon Pass and Mount Baden-Powell, according to the report. Roughly two dozen hikers reported symptoms, and at least seven cases were confirmed by medical professionals after hikers sought treatment in nearby towns. One hiker was airlifted out after becoming too sick to continue, the reports said. ### Why are hikers focusing on a shared water cache? SFGate reported that sick hikers had recently been near a shared water cache in the Wrightwood area, making that cache an early focus of concern. Newsweek said the suspected site was in Swarthout Valley, though it also said the exact source of the outbreak had not been confirmed. California health guidance says contaminated food or drinks can spread norovirus and that the virus is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. (newsweek.com) The California Department of Public Health says norovirus can survive for weeks on surfaces and objects, which is one reason contaminated containers, spigots or shared handling points can become part of an outbreak investigation. ### What symptoms have been reported on the trail? (newsweek.com) Newsweek said hikers described symptoms consistent with acute gastrointestinal illness, and CDC guidance identifies norovirus as a leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States. The CDC says norovirus is highly contagious and spreads easily through contaminated food or water, surfaces touched by infected people, and close contact. (cdph.ca.gov) SFGate identified one patient as Ron Hals, a 73-year-old hiker from Fort Bragg, who said he had “never been that weak” after falling ill. Newsweek said Hals had walked more than 370 miles in recent weeks before his condition deteriorated within about an hour. ### Why can norovirus spread so easily in backcountry settings? The CDC says norovirus is difficult to control because it spreads easily and can move through contaminated food, water, surfaces and person-to-person contact. (newsweek.com) Newsweek cited CDC guidance saying hand sanitizer does not reliably kill norovirus, making soap-and-water handwashing the more important protection when available. California health officials say outbreaks are common in shared settings and can spread quickly if not controlled. On a long-distance trail, hikers often share campsites, rest stops, trail angels’ supplies and cached water, while sanitation access can be limited for days at a time. That combination matches the conditions public health agencies describe as favorable for rapid transmission. ### Has the trail been closed? (newsweek.com) The Pacific Crest Trail Association’s closures page did not show a norovirus-specific closure for the Wrightwood section when checked on May 21. The same page did list other Southern California alerts and closures, including a Tusil Fire closure posted May 19, showing that the association is continuing to update conditions elsewhere on the trail. SFGate reported separately that Angeles Crest Christian Camp closed its grounds to hikers until May 24 as communities near the trail tried to limit further spread. (cdph.ca.gov) That closure was described as a local precaution rather than a full trail shutdown. ### What should hikers watch next? May 24 is the date Angeles Crest Christian Camp said it planned to remain closed to hikers, according to SFGate’s report carried by Yahoo. (closures.pcta.org) Pacific Crest Trail hikers can also monitor the Pacific Crest Trail Association’s closures and conditions pages for any new notices affecting the Wrightwood area. (yahoo.com)