Multiple Tourists Get Sick From Virus Visiting Grand Canyon

Multiple Cases of Viral Infection from Hikers in the Grand Canyon 

A woman celebrating her 40th birthday with a hike to Havasupai in the Grand Canyon fell violently ill with vomiting and a high fever. Soon others in the party fell ill and they had to hike several miles to a clinic for help.  

She was just one of many over the last month who have experienced similar symptoms with some having to be flown out by a helicopter it was so bad. On Facebook, there were reports of over 300 people who had experienced vomiting and diarrhea while visiting the Grand Canyon. 

Not the First Time They Have Seen This Kind of Illness 

In 2022 the CDC reported cases of infection from norovirus for people rafting down the Colorado as well as hikers in the same area that caused vomiting and diarrhea. They determined the virus was coming from multiple sources that included the outhouses and the water of the river. 

Norovirus is highly contagious and can’t always be caught by a filter or killed by hand sanitizer. They recommended people use water from the drinking fountains in the park and sanitize with bleach, chlorine or boiling the water. 

Read More: The Most Dangerous National Parks Surround Southern Utah

The current cases are probably from the same kind of norovirus as it would create the symptoms described. If you plan on visiting the Grand Canyon this summer, taking a few precautions could make all the difference for how your vacation turns out.