Dozens of hikers report stomach illness on California section of Pacific Crest Trail

Roughly a dozen hikers have reported gastrointestinal illness after traveling a section of the Pacific Crest Trail near Wrightwood, California. The Pacific Crest Trail Association stated on Thursday that it is working with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to assess the reports. The trail runs more than 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada.

Trail users said there have been 7-12 confirmed cases of norovirus in the Wrightwood area over the past two weeks. The post added that since Sunday, approximately two dozen hikers have shown symptoms and seven have received medical diagnoses of norovirus.

One older hiker required airlift to a hospital, according to the same post. The page advised hikers to wash hands and drink from sealed water bottles.

Health said norovirus can survive for weeks on surfaces and objects that contact vomit, diarrhea, or unwashed hands. U.S. hospitalizations and 900 deaths from norovirus each year, mostly among older adults. The Pacific Crest Trail Association said thousands of hikers use the trail annually.