Gastro sweeps nursing homes
From:
By Philippa Duncan
April 15, 2006
AN outbreak of gastroenteritis has swept through four or five Hobart nursing homes.
Public Health Director Roscoe Taylor said yesterday that "at least four or five" homes had recently reported cases of gastro, which he was 99 per cent sure was viral rather than food related.
Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.
Severe cases can cause dehydration.
The first symptoms were reported late last week at the Queen Victoria Home at Lindisfarne.
At least 30 cases were reported and yesterday staff and residents were still sick.
Freemasons Home at Lindisfarne also had a few cases this week.
The identity of the other nursing homes is not known.
People visiting the 180 residents at the Queen Victoria Home have been asked to check with nursing staff before they enter the building.
Dr Taylor said the virus spread through person-to-person contact and air-borne saliva.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18818036-1244,00.html
From:
By Philippa Duncan
April 15, 2006
AN outbreak of gastroenteritis has swept through four or five Hobart nursing homes.
Public Health Director Roscoe Taylor said yesterday that "at least four or five" homes had recently reported cases of gastro, which he was 99 per cent sure was viral rather than food related.
Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.
Severe cases can cause dehydration.
The first symptoms were reported late last week at the Queen Victoria Home at Lindisfarne.
At least 30 cases were reported and yesterday staff and residents were still sick.
Freemasons Home at Lindisfarne also had a few cases this week.
The identity of the other nursing homes is not known.
People visiting the 180 residents at the Queen Victoria Home have been asked to check with nursing staff before they enter the building.
Dr Taylor said the virus spread through person-to-person contact and air-borne saliva.
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,18818036-1244,00.html
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