Hikers heading north near Wrightwood, California have been falling ill. Photo: Luis Lara//Unsplash
At least two dozen hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) have symptoms that appear to be related to norovirus, and seven of them have been diagnosed with the pathogen. According to SF Gate, the mysterious spread of the virus among hikers undertaking the 2,650-mile journey from Mexico to Canada has been centered around a valley north of Los Angeles.
A water cache in Swarthout Valley, near the town of Wrightwood, is at the center of the outbreak (where volunteers called “trail angels” leave water for hikers). However, one volunteer in the area told SF Gate that the source may be farther south along the trail because of the virus’s 48-hour incubation period.
A 73-year-old hiker was evacuated from the trail by helicopter and flown to a hospital in Lancaster, where he was diagnosed with norovirus. The hiker said he was extremely weak from the illness.
According to the CDC, norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the U.S. It leads to inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically taking one to three days to pass. Other symptoms include fever, vomiting, headache, and body aches. It can be spread from human to human, through food and water, or from infected surfaces.
Thru hikers are particularly susceptible to the spread of viruses due to a lack of access to sanitation supplies. In a PCT Facebook group, some hikers are urging others to use bleach sanitation wipes, which the CDC confirms are an effective method to combat the virus.
The Pacific Crest Trail Association put out a statement acknowledging that they are looking into the situation.
“The PCTA is aware of reports of gastrointestinal illness in the Wrightwood area,” they said in the statement. “We are working with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health as they assess the situation. We intend to share information publicly as soon as it is available.”
As a result of the outbreak, lodging in the area that usually welcomes Pacific Crest Hikers has closed its doors until the situation gets more under control. Trail volunteers have since replaced the water fill station with closed water bottles to prevent further exposure.
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