Dozens of hikers suddenly fall sick on California section of iconic Pacific Crest Trail

Roughly a dozen hikers have reportedly fallen ill with a nasty stomach bug after traversing a section of the scenic Pacific Crest Trail. 

The popular hiking destination spans more than 2,600 miles and goes from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. 

The Pacific Crest Trail Association acknowledged reports of “gastrointestinal illness” in the Wrightwood area of the hike, writing in an Instagram post on Thursday that they are working with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to asses the situation. 

A reddit page dedicated to the Pacific Crest Trail said there is an “outbreak” of norovirus — a highly contagious stomach illness that can cause sudden and severe vomiting and diarrhea. 

Over the past two weeks, there have been “7-12 confirmed” cases in and around Wrightwood, with an older hiker even having to be airlifted to a hospital for medical attention, according to the Reddit post. 

“Since Sunday, there have been approximately 2 dozen hikers who’ve had symptoms and 7 who were seen and diagnosed with Noro by medical professionals,” the post read. 

The site recommended practicing good hygiene to avoid catching the virus, including washing hands and drinking from sealed water bottles. 

“Norovirus can survive for weeks on surfaces and objects, such as countertops, doorknobs, phones, and furniture, or any items that may have been in contact with vomit, diarrhea, or unwashed hands of someone sick with norovirus,” according to the California Department of Public Health.

There are approximately 109,000 hospitalizations every year in the US from the norovirus, and roughly 900 deaths — mostly among older adults, according CDPH. 

Thousands of outdoorsmen visit the trail each year, the Pacific Crest Trail Association said. 

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