Norwalk virus & buffets

[drew64]

Believe me, I once worked in a restaurant and what goes on behind the scenes is far worse than anything you see out front at a buffet. Many, many people have had fingers or more in your food.

I also strongly suggest against sending the food back to the kitchen more than once and eating what is returned to you!

 

[RMulieri]

As for santizers and gels...they are effective(88%).But not the preferred method(98%) ( soap and water is), and not the MOST effective.They are recommended among public health officials because unfortunately, a high percentage of people(including health professionals) were found not to Wash their hands before and after patient contact .When sanitizer was added in these enviornments and utilized (they are more accessible than a sink and water sometimes), incidences of infection went down.Plus the alcohol %( which needs to be high to kill off the viruses) has been decreased in alot of the store sold sanitizers because they are too drying.Once they drop the % of alcohol and start to add moisturizers etc, they are also less effective.My point is that if you have no other means of cleaning your hands available, sanitizers are perfectly acceptable and encouraged( especially if the other option is not cleaning your hands)BUT if water and soap are available , they are far more effective than the sanitizers.

 

[dqpowell]

Alcohol-based hand cleaners ARE effective against norovirus and are among the employee precautions/patient precautions recommended by most public health departments.

Recommended or not, alcohol-based disinfectants are not terribly effective against norovirus. This is because the norovirus lacks a lipid envelope, which is what alcohol-based disinfectants exploit to kill most germs. Chlorine-based disinfectants kill norovirus rapidly, though.

Unfortunately, Clorox wipes do not actually contain chlorine-based disinfectants. I would recommend routine (not excessive) handwashing with soap and water as the best prevention.

David

 

[momtotwoteens]

Believe me, I once worked in a restaurant and what goes on behind the scenes is far worse than anything you see out front at a buffet. Many, many people have had fingers or more in your food.

I also strongly suggest against sending the food back to the kitchen more than once and eating what is returned to you!

Gross!!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) To paraphrase The Buffalo Springfield, "paranoia runs deep".

2) There is really no way to stop the viruses being discussed here.
3) Alcohol-based sanitizers do help (not all are alcohol-based).
4) But, you touch so many other things at WDW which others have touched!
. . . park guard rails and stair/ramp banisters
. . . park door jams
. . . park chairs and tables
. . . park souvenirs that others have viewed
. . . park turnstiles
. . . park Fast Pass machines
. . . park ride seats, safety devices, hand rails
. . . bus hand-holds
. . . bus seats
. . . room telephones
. . . room tv remotes
. . . room door knobs
. . . room bathroom fixtures (handles, sink stoppers)
. . . room drawer knobs and clothes hangers
5) I could go on-and-on.
6) All you can do it use alcohol wipes and wash you hands with soap.
7) Of course, prayers against viruses do help.

 

[dqpowell]

2) There is really no way to stop the viruses being discussed here.

Actually, there are effective ways to minimize your chances of getting infected. That's what we've been discussing.

3) Alcohol-based sanitizers do help (not all are alcohol-based).

Alcohol-based sanitizers work well on many kinds of germs. They are considerably less effective against norovirus, though they will help a little.

4) But, you touch so many other things at WDW which others have touched!

The buffets present a much greater risk of infection than any of the other things you mentioned because of the much greater likelihood of touching an infected item (serving spoon, etc) and then having almost immediate hand to mouth contact, when you eat.

6) All you can do it use alcohol wipes and wash you hands with soap.

Routine hand washing is the most effective preventative measure against Norovirus, other than chlorine-based disinfectants (which are meant for use on surfaces, not hands).

David

 

[DisneyBarlans]

When we were at Disney World a few weeks ago (Thanksgiving week) we ate at 2 buffets-1900 Park Faire and Biergarten. I am very strict about my entire family washing hands, and I still got sick after eating at Biergarten. No one else got it, so I'm not sure if it was a virus or something I ate. We mostly avoid the buffets, and the only one I'm booking for next year's trip will be Crystal Palace because my kids love the characters, but I'm going to try to get it for the last day of our trip just in case we get sick again.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

If you are that worried, why not take your own gloves for the buffets? A napkin could work in a pinch.

 

[Tiger926]

If you are that worried, why not take your own gloves for the buffets? A napkin could work in a pinch.

Or, do as I mentioned, take an antibacterial wipe and use that to wrap around the utensils. This is what we do. You still need to be careful with how you handle your plate though - don't touch eating surface, countertop, etc.

Happy health to all, Tiger

 

[ktlm]

We were there all last week. None of us got sick. We had the buffets at both Crystal Palace and Tusker House. We were careful about frequent handwashing all week and I tried not to touch any of my food with my hands after going through the buffet line and touching all the utensils without washing my hands first.

 

[Figaro77]

Believe me, I once worked in a restaurant and what goes on behind the scenes is far worse than anything you see out front at a buffet. Many, many people have had fingers or more in your food.

I also strongly suggest against sending the food back to the kitchen more than once and eating what is returned to you!

I am plugging my ears and saying LALALALALALALA . . . only its not working. I guess I have to shut my eyes in this case I so desperately want to remain ignorant about this!

 

[Married_Him_@_Disney]

Husband and Son got the bug, or this Norwalk Virus, or whatever it is, back on our trip in October. I honestly do not think there is anyway to truly know where it's coming from. Could be your resort, could be buffets, it could even be Dumbo.

We went back to Disney in December, and we did not have any issues with the virus. I would say it's totally hit or miss. Wash up, Sanatize, keep your your fingers out of your mouth and be sensible. If anyone in your family start to vomit or have bad poo's, then go to Urgent Care right away. They gave DH a shot, and DS a sopasitory, and it really helped to lighten the blow. Urgent Care has a free shuttle service, and they will pick you up at your hotel/resort.

Also, there is a pharmacy attached to the Urgent Care that will deliver ANYTHING they sell to your room for $5.00. We had Childrens Imodium delivered right to the front desk!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I'm trying not to be paranoid but I've been reading some posts regarding the Norwalk virus going around at WDW. We will be there in less than two weeks. Does Disney do anything at the buffets such providing disposable gloves when going through the line at buffets to help prevent the spread of this very contagious virus? I know you touch things everywhere but a buffet is probably the worst when you touch the serving utensils then eat a roll or wipe your mouth with your napkin. I've had this virus and I don't want it again!

We have a few scheduled (Chef Mickey's, Boma's and Cape May) and now I'm starting to rethink those choices.

We love, love, love Biergarten, but DH & I became VERY sick with a gastrointestinal "thing" after dinner there over the weekend. (However, it could have also been our Dis hotel, the many rides we rode, or the Dis buses.) I cleaned the room with Lysol & clorox wipes, plus we had anti-microbial hand soap, but the darn thing still got us.

 

[Pumbaa_]

This is not really relevant to the Restaurant Board. There is a similar thread on the Community Board if you would like to continue the discussion

thanks and stay healty!!