PORT ORCHARD — Horseshoe Lake Park reopened for swimming Tuesday following a two week closure due to a norovirus outbreak that sickened at least 159 people, according to the Kitsap Public Health District.
Swimmers began reporting gastrointestinal illness after visiting the popular South Kitsap Lake late last month. Laboratory tests last week confirmed norovirus in a stool sample collected from one swimmer. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The last reported onset of illness connected to the outbreak was Aug. 3, according to the health district. Health district Environmental Health Director John Kiess said the outbreak is believed to be over, based on the incubation period for the virus — the time it takes for symptoms to show after initial infection.
Because the outbreak likely began with an infected swimmer using the lake in late July, and swimming has been closed since Aug. 1, health officials are confident norovirus is no longer present at unsafe levels in the lake.
"We feel at this time there is no increased risk to swimmers who go and use the lake tomorrow," Kiess said Monday.
People experiencing gastrointestinal illness are advised to stay home for 48 hours after their symptoms subside to avoid spreading viruses to others.
"If a sick individual did not go swimming we wouldn't be talking about this today," Kiess said. "If you're sick don't go in the water; don't even go to the park."
To lessen the risk of illness at lakes, health officials recommend swimmers avoid ingesting water, stay away from discolored or slimy water, shower thoroughly before and after swimming, and keep children who aren't toilet trained out of the lake. Health concerns at swimming areas can be reported to the health district at 360-728-2235 or kitsappublichealth.org.
Horseshoe Lake was linked to two other norovirus outbreaks in the past decade. More than 2,000 people visit the lake on busy summer days, according to the Kitsap County Parks Department.
