09/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2024 13:44
HONOLULU - The Kalalau Trail in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park will re-open to visitors on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, following closure due to a norovirus outbreak among park visitors.
During the temporary closure and in consultation with Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks (DSP) initiated a thorough disinfection and cleaning and removed and airlifted barrels of effluent for treatment and disposal from the Hanakāpī'ai, Hanakoa and Kalalau composting comfort stations. A crew of three flew in and conducted two maintenance passes at both Hanakāpī'ai and Kalalau, and a six-person crew flew into Hanakoa and spent a day performing maintenance activities. Painting and vegetation removal was also performed as warranted among the comfort stations.
While it is not possible to ensure complete eradication of norovirus from the park or its facilities, substantial preventive measures have been taken during the closure. Repeated disinfection of comfort stations, weeks of closure allowing natural processes (rain, UV light, virus degradation) to diminish remaining virus, and the cessation of new infections, give DOH and DLNR confidence that opening the park now is appropriate.
Visitors to the re-opened park are advised to take precautions including careful hand-washing with soap and water (carry biodegradable soap with you), treating water before drinking it and avoiding visiting the park while ill. Visitors are asked to notify DOH if they develop symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea during or within 72 hours of a visit to the park. If symptoms are severe, seek medical attention.
The total number of norovirus cases reported to date is approximately 50 and remaining stable. The onset of new cases peaked on Sept. 2 and there have been no new cases reported with onset after Sept. 4. While the increased public health risk has subsided, DOH will continue to investigate case reports and conduct surveillance of norovirus-like symptoms in emergency room and urgent care visits, in addition to requesting that cases be reported by park visitors and/or by healthcare providers.
The initial source of this outbreak was most likely a park visitor who was already infected with norovirus and became acutely ill in the park. The DOH survey of park visitors from the period July 1 to Sept. 4 helped identify many of the reported cases. In addition, initial analysis points to person-to-person spread and contact with contaminated comfort stations as highly suspected primary means of infection.
DOH thanks those who responded to the survey. The survey is now closed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) testing of water, sand and sediment from Kalalau Valley did not show any norovirus. However, CDC testing did reveal evidence of fecal contamination inside the cave. Due to fecal contamination, the cave will remain closed through the winter when it naturally becomes inaccessible. Visitors are reminded that it is against the law to urinate or defecate other than at the toilet facilities provided.
Norovirus causes copious vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea, often with fever. It spreads very easily from person to person. Sick people shed billions of virus particles in their stool and vomit, and it only takes a few virus particles (<100) to make you sick.
The virus spreads in many ways, including:
There are steps you can take to prevent the spread of norovirus:
If you become ill with norovirus symptoms during or after a park visit, and symptoms do not improve, please seek medical attention and report your illness to the Department of Health reporting line at 808-586-4586.
For additional information on Norovirus go to:
Norovirus | Disease Outbreak Control Division (hawaii.gov)
Preventing Norovirus When Camping, Hiking, or Outdoors | Norovirus | CDC
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