With nine patients and six staff members displaying symptoms of a Norovirus, visitors are discouraged from heading to the fifth floor of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
The outbreak of the illness, which causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and slight fever, was declared Tuesday following lab confirmation of the virus. So far, it is contained to the fifth floor and no other areas of the hospital are affected.
Although the gastroenteritis illness is more common in the winter, it’s not unusual to see an outbreak in summer. To reduce the risk of becoming ill, the Vancouver Island Health Authority recommends:
If you show symptoms, stay home. Unless a person is severely dehydrated, the illness can be treated at home;
Do not visit anyone in a hospital or care setting for at least 48 hours after symptoms subside;
If you are well and planning a visit to an infected facility, follow necessary infection control procedures, especially handwashing.
If you are concerned you may have severe symptoms of the virus, contact your family doctor or call HealthLink BC at 811 for more information.
— Nanaimo News Bulletin/Black Press