Kalalau Trail reopens after thorough cleaning following norovirus outbreak

Government
Webp 7s797nd8c88n3z96im0esy95qogp
Kenneth S. Fink, MD, MGA, MPH Director | Hawaii Department of Health

The Kalalau Trail in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park is set to reopen on October 1, 2024, following a closure due to a norovirus outbreak among visitors.

During the closure, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks (DSP), in consultation with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH), carried out extensive disinfection and cleaning efforts. Barrels of effluent were removed and airlifted from Hanakāpī’ai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau composting comfort stations for treatment and disposal. Maintenance activities included painting and vegetation removal.

Despite these measures, it is not possible to guarantee complete eradication of norovirus from the park or its facilities. However, substantial preventive actions have been taken. These include repeated disinfection of comfort stations, weeks of closure allowing natural processes like rain and UV light to diminish remaining virus particles, and cessation of new infections.

Visitors are advised to take precautions such as careful hand-washing with soap and water (using biodegradable soap), treating water before drinking it, and avoiding visiting the park while ill. They should notify DOH if they develop symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea during or within 72 hours after their visit. In severe cases, medical attention should be sought.

Approximately 50 cases of norovirus have been reported so far, with no new cases reported since September 4. Although public health risk has decreased significantly, DOH will continue monitoring case reports and conducting surveillance for norovirus-like symptoms in emergency room and urgent care visits.

The initial source of the outbreak was likely a park visitor already infected with norovirus who became acutely ill in the park. A DOH survey conducted between July 1 and September 4 helped identify many reported cases. Person-to-person spread and contact with contaminated comfort stations are suspected primary means of infection.

DOH expressed gratitude to those who responded to the survey which is now closed.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) testing found no evidence of norovirus in water, sand, or sediment from Kalalau Valley but did reveal fecal contamination inside a cave which will remain closed through winter when it naturally becomes inaccessible. Visitors are reminded that urinating or defecating outside designated toilet facilities is illegal.

Norovirus causes symptoms including vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea often accompanied by fever. It spreads easily through person-to-person contact or via contaminated food or surfaces.

Preventive steps include washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet or before handling food; avoiding food preparation for others if sick; cleaning contaminated surfaces with chlorine bleach solutions; washing contaminated clothing thoroughly; seeking medical attention if symptoms persist; reporting illnesses to DOH at 808-586-4586.

For more information on Norovirus:

Norovirus | Disease Outbreak Control Division (hawaii.gov)

Preventing Norovirus When Camping, Hiking, or Outdoors | Norovirus | CDC