- Virginia health officials say there have been 20 confirmed
or suspected Norwalk-like virus outbreaks in the state, with dozens of
people falling ill from the highly contagious gastrointestinal illness.
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- Three outbreaks had been reported as of this time last
year.
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- Norwalk or Norwalk-like viruses have been blamed for
hundreds of cruise-ship passengers becoming sick in recent months.
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- Of the 20 Virginia outbreaks, 14 have been confirmed
by laboratory tests, and results for the rest are pending. Of the outbreaks,
17 have been at nursing homes, including one at a western Henrico County
nursing facility, and each outbreak has affected anywhere from 15 to 50
people, causing "stomach flu" symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting
and nausea.
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- "Because it's so contagious and you need such a
small amount [to become infected], people become sick and don't even know
they have been exposed," said Dr. Elizabeth Barrett, assistant state
epidemiologist.
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- Some nursing-home residents, their health already compromised,
have had to be hospitalized, but no deaths have been associated with the
illness, state officials said.
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- Nationally, Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses, also known
as norovirus, infect about 200,000 people annually.
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- Two of the recent Virginia outbreaks have involved restaurants,
and one involved a large group of people at a private event.
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- "They were just a group of friends," Barrett
said. They called to complain about a restaurant, but it turned out the
transmission was among the group members and did not involve a restaurant,
she said.
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- The virus can be spread by person-to-person contact,
by food handlers, or through contact with surfaces contaminated with a
virus from fecal matter or vomit.
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- For instance, when a person with the illness vomits,
particles can land on surfaces and infect someone who touches the surface
and then touches their mouth.
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- "You have to get it in your mouth to become ill,"
Barrett said.
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- "Vomiting can be quite violent. Microscopic particles
can land in the air."
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- In nursing homes, because some residents are in diapers,
virus may be spread through that means.
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- State health officials say frequent and thorough hand
washing is one of the best ways people can avoid getting infected. Patients
are generally treated with fluids to avoid dehydration. Recovery is usually
within two to three days, but officials are recommending that nursing-home
employees with the infection stay out for three days after they appear
well.
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- Barrett said health officials are not sure how long the
virus remains viable on surfaces. Because of that, they are making specific
recommendations to nursing homes on how to avoid or contain outbreaks.
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- At The Hermitage at Cedarfield, an assisted-living facility
in western Henrico, staff are taking steps to avoid additional cases.
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- "We are being as proactive as we can," said
executive director Chris Henderson. "We have over 500 seniors living
with us today. We have a few who are exhibiting symptoms now."
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- Henderson said they have quarantined some areas of the
retirement community. Visitors are being discouraged, and food-service
options have been limited. In some areas, residents are only able to get
room service instead of being able to eat in cafeterias. And in some cases,
serve-yourself buffets have been eliminated so staff do all the serving.
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- "We met with the health department this afternoon,"
Henderson said yesterday. "One of their recommendations was to begin
sanitizing. Norwalk is a hardy virus. It can live for a time on doorknobs
and handrails. We are going to be doing some really deep cleaning."
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- http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/more/MGB6UDTNYAD.html
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