VA Isolation: Flu-like illness

[Jonesie]

You are right: Norovirus:

Sentara General doing all they can to prevent spread of Norovirus

May 18, 2007 07:11 PM EDT

Sentara trying to prevent Norovirus from spreading


UPDATE: After a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Health confirmed that it was Norovirus that sickened 23 people at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, preventative measures are in place to keep the virus from spreading.

"We're doing everything we can to reduce the chance of the virus being in other places in the hospital," said VBGH Administrator Dr. Ray Troiano.

Dr. Troiano said that the unit has been thoroughly cleaned with bleach solution and patients are doing well. The hospital is encouraging everyone to abide by strict handwashing policies, and staff on the affected unit are wearing gowns, gloves when dealing with patients.

For now, no children are allowed to visit Unit 3 East where the outbreak began.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hospital unit placed in isolation after 23 people contract Norovirus

A spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Health has confirmed that flu-like virus which sickened 23 people at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, leading them to place one ward at the hospital into a state of isolation, is Norovirus.

According to a spokesperson, six patients and two visitors, 14 staff members and one physician have become ill with diarrhea, vomiting and fever, so far.

We're being told that Unit 3 East has been placed in isolation and standard precautions are being taken to avoid further spread of the illness.

Look for much more on this story on WAVY News 10 at Five.

Sentara Health Systems issued the following release:

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=6536647