The Norwalk virus that causes vomiting and diarhea is back in the community, Shuswap Lake General Hospital and Bastion Place.
While most people recover from this nasty virus within a few days, it can kill babies, the frail elderly and those with immune systems that are compromised by illness.
To minimize the spread of the virus, visits to the hospital and Bastion Place are being discouraged.
On Monday, Shuswap Lake General manager Mark Pugh reported that patients in 18 of 40 beds on levels 2 and 4 were suffering from the virus.
But he was hoping the outbreak declared Feb. 14, will soon be over.
Over at Bastion Place on Friday, manager Brenda Veerman was hoping to be able to declare an outbreak on the first floor over by the weekend. But, she added, an outbreak had just been declared on the second floor.
As well as discouraging visitors, housekeeping services have been stepped up at both facilities, and staff were wearing, masks, gloves and gowns.
“We’ve been vigilant on housekeeping and staffing, cleaning and cleaning and wiping down,” said Veerman, who noted the outbreak declared Feb. 6 on Bastion’s first floor affected three residents and two staff members.
Veerman says if family members and friends want to get in touch, staff can take portable phones to residents. She notes that if people insist on visiting the facility, the will not be allowed to take their pets in because they can get quite sick with the virus as well.
Shuswap Lake Hospital infection control nurse Colleen Reiswig says gastrointestinal illnesses like Norwalk are common and very infectious.
“When someone vomits or has explosive diarrhea, the virus aerosolizes for a brief time, in washrooms or in small areas,” she says. “So obviously, it can spread to bed rails and other surfaces.”
For this reason, patients with Norwalk have been sequestered in rooms down one hallway on level 4, as far away as possible from the chemotherapy room which is down another hallway.
Reiswig says some people believe that getting the flu shot protects them from the various noro-viruses.
“This is not the flu, and noro-virus has no immunization because it mutates so quickly,” she says. “It takes the tiniest little bit to get affected.”
If Norwalk hits, Reiswig recommends staying hydrated with clear fluids such as juices and soup.
“We generally recommend people don’t take Immodium or Gravol initially, just let it run its course for two or three days,” she says, noting dehydration is much more of a concern with infants. “Stay away from work for two days after you’re feeling better. That’s how long you’re likely to be infectious.”
