People are getting explosive gastroenteritis at the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a geological wonder that has been beautifully sculpted over millions of years. If you've visited recently, it may violently flush your colon and cause you to vomit.

The majestic natural wonder has been the location of a months-long outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. At least eight rafting trips were affected by the virus. The Grand Canyon National Park Service says more than 150 people have fallen ill since April.

While many may have sought the outdoor grandeur in hopes of avoiding the pandemic coronaviruses, it seems they were instead met with a different germ that has been savagely hollowing out guts at a rate many orders of magnitude faster than the Colorado River. The park-goers are blowing chunks from both ends in quick succession. Some people are forced to stay on the edge of a smaller basin instead of going to the North and South Rims.

It's not clear how the illness is spreading among visitors and how many illnesses have hit the park. The park service warns that the highly infectious virus can quickly ruin a river tour. It can be spread through food or water. Visitors are advised by the park service to wash their hands, avoid sharing food, and stay home if they get sick on a trip.

Gushing gorge

The Colorado River, waterfalls, pools, streams, and side canyons are some of the features that the park cautions against drinking water from. If visitors need to use canyon water sources, the water should be washed and then boiled.

Noroviruses are not usually life threatening. The park service warns that an acute case of gastroenteritis in an extremely hot environment can be dangerous. On Tuesday, the park posted a high heat warning, stating that the inner canyon is expected to reach 112F. Several people have been plucked out of the canyon by helicopter.

For those who are able to escape on their own, it will likely be a difficult trek. Visitors are not allowed to leave their toxic sludge in the canyon. If a restroom isn't available, all human body waste should be contained and carried out using a portable toilet or a specifically engineered bag waste containment system, which can be sealed securely and contains enzymes and polymers to treat human solid waste. Vomit should be carried out of the canyon in asealable container.

Case reports have slowed since the park began posting advisories about the illnesses. The majority of the cases took place in May.