Norovirusis the condition for whichenteric infection precautions(a specialized form of Contact Precautions) are most appropriate. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, characterized by severe vomiting and diarrhea. Because the virus is spread through the fecal-oral route and can be aerosolized during vomiting incidents, standard contact precautions are often augmented with "Enteric" protocols. These protocols emphasize rigorous handwashing with soap and water—as alcohol-based hand sanitizers are often ineffective against the non-enveloped Norovirus—and the use of specific disinfectants, such as bleach-based solutions (sodium hypochlorite), to clean contaminated surfaces.

According toCDC Infection Control GuidelinesandOSHA’s 1910.1030 (Bloodborne Pathogens)guidance on infectious diseases, enteric precautions involve the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves and gowns whenever there is contact with the patient or their environment. In a disaster or mass care environment, such as an emergency shelter, a Norovirus outbreak can spread with alarming speed due to the virus's low infectious dose (as few as 18 particles can cause illness) and its extreme environmental stability.

For aCEDPprofessional, managing Norovirus requires a combination of clinical isolation and environmental decontamination. UnlikePertussis(Option A), which requiresDroplet Precautions, orMRSA(Option B), which typically requiresStandard Contact Precautions, Norovirus requires the specific "Enteric" focus on fecal/vomit management and non-alcohol-based hygiene. Emergency managers must be prepared to "cohort" symptomatic patients in shelters and ensure that sanitation teams use EPA-registered disinfectants with specific claims for Norovirus. By implementing these precautions immediately upon the recognition of symptoms, disaster professionals can "break the chain of infection" and prevent a localized medical issue from escalating into a facility-wide or community-wide public health crisis.