If you plan on visiting a beach, state park or National Park over the 4th of July this summer, you may want to take some additional steps to prepare. Over the past few years, these venues have become prime locations for norovirus outbreaks. The combination of pit toilets or portable toilets, lack of hand washing facilities, inadequate cleaning staff and no sinks (or restrooms that run out of soap and paper towels) mean fertile ground for the virus to spread.

A recent outbreak in Wisconsin involved 2000 people visiting a lake for the 4th of July, with only one staff member at the park (incidentally, collecting money at the entrance to the park). This park had one restroom for each gender, consisting of pit toilets with no sink. The hand sanitizer was depleted early in the day. There were four trash cans, but staff ultimately collected more than 25 bags of trash from the grounds following the holiday. There was evidence of sick individuals both in the restroom and at the beach.

So, short of staying home what can you do to prepare yourself in a scenario like this?

1. Carry baby wipes and hand sanitizer with you, and use them often (especially before eating and after using the restroom).
2. Change diapers in a grassy area away from others, not in the restroom. If you must use the changing table in the restroom, use a disinfectant wipe on it first, and clean your child’s hands well afterwards. Use a disposable changing pad if possible.
3. Carry a small bag with you for trash, and carry your trash out of the park at the end of the day. This will allow you to avoid approaching overfilled garbage cans that may be contaminated.