Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

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Welland Site?s Extended Care Unit experiencing enteric outbreak

Posted Tuesday, January 03, 2012 in News
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<!-- AddThis Button Begin -->NIAGARA, ON: The Niagara Health System is experiencing an enteric outbreak on the Extended Care Unit of the Welland Site.

Five residents in the Extended Care Unit are showing symptoms; two staff are showing symptoms and off work.

The outbreak was declared today in conjunction with Niagara Region Public Health. All infection prevention and control measures are in place to bring the outbreak to an end as quickly as possible.

Enteric outbreaks cause gastrointestinal illness. Main symptoms are vomiting and/or diarrhea. The illness usually begins suddenly and the person may feel very sick. Symptoms last for 24 to 48 hours in a healthy individual, but it can take longer for some people.

Enteric outbreaks can spread directly from person-to-person, by touching contaminated surfaces, from contaminated food, and other sources.

Everyone is reminded to clean their hands regularly to decrease the chance of becoming ill. Illnesses like this are very common in the community.

Only 2 visitors per resident are permitted during the outbreak unless for compassionate reasons. Visitors are asked to visit their family members only.

http://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/news...ended-care-unit-experiencing-enteric-outbreak

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

By Adam McLean

Jan 23, 2012 - 11:55 AM

UPDATE: Norovirus infections down at YCH

The number of patients infected with Norovirus has dropped to three, York Central Hospital said this morning.
...
When the outbreak was first discovered two weeks ago, in unit 3 North of C-Wing, which is a general medicine floor, confirmed infections had reached 15 patients.
...
Since the virus was brought into the hospital, it?s likely to still exist in the community, so hospital officials are asking residents to take extra sanitary precaution.

http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1284107--update-norovirus-infections-down-at-ych

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

Norovirus outbreak at Royal Gardens

Visitors not allowed at retirement home

By KENNEDY GORDON, Examiner Staff Writer
Updated 17 hours ago

Visits are limited at Royal Gardens after a norovirus outbreak was discovered at the Clonsilla Ave. retirement residence.

Staff confirmed the outbreak of what used to be called Norwalk Virus, and said visits are being restricted in order to contain the spread of the illness, but did not offer any further information.

Simon Lee, a public health inspector with the Peterborough County-City Health Unit, said restrictions like this one should stay in place until the facility goes five days without a new case of norovirus.

?It?s unfortunate but necessary,? he said, explaining Royal Gardens has the final discretion and can, in certain circumstances, allow a visit if hand-washing and other containment protocols are followed.

More...
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3448865

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

Tuesday, February, 21, 2012 - 9:09:02 AM
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Stomach flu making the rounds
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The city may have escaped the winter weather this year, but it has not escaped one illness associated with the season.

?A lot of our day cares and long-term-care facilities have had outbreaks of norovirus,? said Janice Walters, the local health unit?s program manager for the control of infectious diseases.

The virus, commonly known as the stomach flu, tends to show up at this time of year, and this year is no exception, said Walters.

At this time of year, ?people tend to congregate more indoors and there?s an easier spread of infection in those closed environments,? she said.

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health currently has outbreaks at four day cares, two long-term-care facilities and one retirement home, she said, adding that not all the outbreaks are in the city.

Because the virus is not considered ?reportable,? the health unit could not give an estimate of the number of cases in the general community.

...
http://www.guelphtribune.ca/news/stomach-flu-making-the-rounds/

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

'Stomach flu' hits Ottawa hospital

CBC News
Posted: Feb 23, 2012 6:14 PM ET

Last Updated: Feb 24, 2012 6:11 AM ET

Ottawa hospitals are putting more infection control measures in place after they say a number of their staff came down with "stomach flu" symptoms often associated with Norovirus.

Ottawa Public Health said hospitals have seen an increase in people with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Doctor Virginia Roth, the hospital's director of infection control, said 31 staff in a cardiology and kidney disease unit of the General Campus have called in sick since February 17.

"We believe that the first person to be sick was actually a visitor ... then became sick in the patient's bathroom," said Roth

More...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2012/02/23/ottawa-norovirus-hospital.html

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

<TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=5 width=750><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>Media Advisories, News Releases & Public Service Announcements
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=557 bgColor=#999999><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#d5e1f0>Date: Thursday 23 February 2012
Contact: Public Affairs (613-580-2450), medias@ottawa.ca
</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff align=middle>PSA: Help prevent the spread of Norovirus in our community </TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#ffffff>[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]Ottawa ? Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reporting an increased incidence at local hospitals of people with stomach flu symptoms, often associated with Norovirus, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. In order to limit transmission of the virus in hospitals and to reduce the chance of further spread, the following infection control measures have been implemented in several area hospitals:

• Additional housekeeping measures
• Prompt identification and isolation of symptomatic patients
• Increased promotion of hand hygiene
• Hospital visitor policy is being reinforced and signage has been posted at the entry of the units

Local hospitals are also trying to reduce the chance of cases coming through the Emergency Department. If you are experiencing typical flu-like symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, please do not visit the Emergency Department unless you feel it is necessary to get care there. We recommend you drink lots of fluids and see your family doctor if your symptoms last longer than three days or if you have bloody diarrhea or a high fever. [/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]At this time of year, increased cases of Norovirus circulate in the community and can affect schools, hospitals, day care centres and long term care facilities, and anywhere groups of people gather. To avoid infection with Norovirus, we recommend the following:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Stay home from school or work if you are ill
• Avoid visiting people in hospital or long-term care homes when ill

If you think you have Norovirus, the following will help you and help prevent others from getting sick with Norovirus:

• Stay home and rest for at least 24 hours after your vomiting/diarrhea have resolved and you feel well
• Do not prepare or handle food that will be eaten by others

For more information:[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]Hazel Harding, Communications Advisor[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]The Ottawa Hospital[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]613-737-8460[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]Ottawa Public Health Information Line[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656)[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]Background - Norovirus [/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]<!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/norovirus-eng.php. -->Norovirus is a well known "Small round-structured virus" that circulates rapidly through groups of people. It is transmitted by direct contact with the virus, either through contaminated hands, or possibly through droplet spread during vomiting. It can also be transmitted in contaminated food and drink, and ingested directly. It takes less than 100 virus particles to result in illness (it has been suggested that it may take as few as ten virus particles), and so infection is easily transmitted from person to person.[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]The main symptoms of Norovirus infection begin approximately 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. A low grade fever may occur and dehydration is possible. The illness usually lasts from one day to three days; however, Norovirus can be spread for up to three days after the symptoms stop, and some people may carry the virus for up to two weeks after the symptoms end. [/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial]For more information on how to prevent the spread of germs, please visit <!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://ottawa.ca/en/health_safety/conditions/resources/index.html. -->ottawa.ca/health. You can also connect with OPH on <!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://facebook.com/ottawahealth. -->Facebook and <!-- TRANSIT - HYPERLINK --><!-- .http://twitter.com/ottawahealth. -->Twitter (@ottawahealth) for the latest public health information.[/FONT]

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
http://ottawa.ca/cgi-bin/pressco.pl?&Elist=17484&lang=en

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

Source: http://www.recorder.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3488528

Enteric outbreak declared at BGH
By STEVE PETTIBONE The Recorder and Times
Posted 1 hour ago

An outbreak of an intestinal tract virus has been declared in one of the wings at the Charles Street site of Brockville General Hospital (BGH).

According to a BGH release, the enteric virus carries symptoms that include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

BGH president and chief executive officer Ray Marshall told The Recorder and Times seven patients in 1 East had been diagnosed with the illness as of late Thursday afternoon...

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

BGH confirms three cases of norovirus

Posted Mar 5, 2012 By EMC News

Brockville General Hospital (BGH) has confirmed three cases of norovirus.

?Of the symptomatic patients on 1 East we have had since the outbreak was declared, three have tested positive with norovirus,? explains Margriet de Bruyn, BGH Director of Critical Care.

Infection prevention and control measures are in place at the hospital, and will assist in preventing further spread of the outbreak within the facility. The outbreak is being confined to the 1E wing.

?There have been no new cases since Friday, March 2nd,? says de Bruyn.

?We cannot declare the outbreak over until five days after the last identified case.?

More...
http://www.emcstlawrence.ca/20120301/news/BGH+confirms+three+cases+of+norovirus

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

Source: http://www.emcstlawrence.ca/20120308/news/BGH+declares+outbreak+over

BGH declares outbreak over
Posted Mar 8, 2012 By EMC News

EMC News - Brockville General Hospital (BGH) has officially declared the recent enteric outbreak over as of March 7.
?BGH, in conjunction with the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Health Unit, has declared the enteric outbreak over,? says Margriet de Bruyn, BGH Director of Critical Care. ?It has been five days since our last symptomatic patient. That allows us to declare the outbreak over...?

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

Source: http://netnewsledger.com/2012/05/18/healthbeat-to-date-136-people-have-reported-being-ill/

Healthbeat ? To date, 136 people have reported being ill

THUNDER BAY ? Healthbeat ? The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has confirmed, through laboratory tests, that Norovirus has been identified in two stool samples of people who attended the Mother?s Day buffet at This Old Barn in Murillo Ontario on Sunday, May 13 2012. The outbreak has generated a call from the TBDHU for anyone in the area who suffered from symptoms to contact them..

...The Health Unit would like to hear from any individual who has not yet been contacted and consumed food or drink at This Old Barn between May 11-13.

To speak with a public health inspector, please call 625-8318. Reports can also be submitted through the Health Unit?s website at TBDHU.COM
.

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

More cases of norovirus confirmed

CBC News
Last Updated: May 18, 2012 3:47 PM ET

The number of people now known to have got sick after visiting a rural Thunder Bay restaurant last weekend has climbed to 141. That's up 15 from Thursday.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is investigating whether a norovirus caused the outbreak.

The virus has turned up in lab work done on two people who attended the Mother's Day buffet at This Old Barn.

Food and water samples from the restaurant are being processed by Public Health Ontario laboratories in Thunder Bay and Toronto, and in a Health Canada lab in Ottawa.

More...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/story/2012/05/18/tb-norvirus-rastaurant.html

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

Norovirus: The Real "Stomach Flu" Culprit

Thursday, October 4, 2012

In recent weeks the Sudbury & District has received reports of increased gastrointestinal illness due to Norovirus in daycares, long-term care homes, schools and in the community. Often referred to as ?the stomach flu?, the illness really has little in common with influenza. There?s no vaccine for Norovirus, and whereas influenza targets your respiratory system, Norovirus makes you sick to your stomach.

Norovirus, also known as Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses, refers to a family of viruses that leave children and adults with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Headache and low-grade fever can also occur. Norovirus is highly contagious, and can make anyone sick.

The virus spreads primarily through the ?fecal-oral route?. This means that contaminated feces from an infected person is somehow ingested by another person.

?Anyone who has symptoms should stay away from vulnerable people and places such as hospitals, long-term care homes, and daycares to avoid spreading the virus,? said Cindy Rocca, an environmental support officer in the Health Unit?s Environmental Health Division. ?Hospital patients and long-term care home residents are particularly at risk.?

Although there is no specific treatment for Norovirus, people who are ill should drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. The illness usually clears up within 48 hours, but people could spread the virus for several days after their symptoms stop.


Follow these precautions to help prevent becoming sick with or spreading Norovirus:

• Wash your hands thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom, before eating or preparing food, as well as prior to entering and leaving a long-term care home, hospital, or daycare.
• Do not handle or prepare food for anyone if you are ill.
• Do not visit anyone in a hospital or long-term care home if you are ill.
• Stay home if you are ill and for two days after your symptoms stop.
• Carefully clean up vomit and feces, discard anything that was contaminated with vomit or feces, and disinfect all surfaces.
• Clean and sanitize washrooms and all common hand contact surfaces if there is someone ill in your home.

Handwashing posters, videos, and additional information about Norovirus are available on the Sudbury & District Health Unit website at www.sdhu.com or by calling 705.522.9200, ext. 464, toll-free 1.866.522.9200.

http://www.sdhu.com/content/news/details.asp?n=1152&lang=0

 

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Re: Ontario - Norovirus cases 2012

Source: http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/12/31/windsor-essex-sees-increase-in-stomach-viruses/


Windsor-Essex sees increase in stomach viruses
Rebecca Wright
Dec 31, 2012 - 5:13 PM EST
Last Updated: Dec 31, 2012 - 6:29 PM EST

Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach and diarrhea.

No, it?s not a Pepto-Bismol commercial. Add a couple of bouts of vomiting and it?s a list of common symptoms that local hospital emergency rooms are hearing recently due to a spike in stomach viruses sweeping across Windsor-Essex.

?What we?ve been able to avoid the last couple of years around this time of year is people suffering from types of gastro issues, but our luck has run out. We?ve seen a massive increase and we are very busy right now,? said Windsor Regional Hospital president and CEO David Musyj...