Norwalk outbreak shuts two wards at B.C. hospital

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http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060319/norwalk_outbreak_060318/20060319?hub=Canada

Norwalk outbreak shuts two wards at B.C. hospital

Updated Sun. Mar. 19 2006 8:07 AM ET
<SCRIPT language=javascript type=text/javascript> var byString = ""; var sourceString = "CTV.ca News Staff"; if ((sourceString != "") && (byString != "")) { document.write(byString + ", "); } else { document.write(byString); }</SCRIPT>CTV.ca News Staff
Two wards at a B.C. hospital have been closed to new patients after an outbreak of Norwalk virus was confirmed.
Twenty three patients and 37 staff members at Burnaby Hospital, just outside of Vancouver, have been diagnosed with the gastrointestinal virus, according to a hospital spokesperson.
Patients with minor health complaints who would normally attend the hospital are being asked to see their family doctor or attend a walk-in clinic to take some of the pressure off the hospital.
Symptoms of Norwalk include acute diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, as well as headaches and fever.
The most effective steps to take to avoid developing the gastrointestinal virus are as follows:

• Wash hands with soap and warm water after toilet visits and before preparing or eating food;
• Cook all shellfish thoroughly before eating;
• Wash raw vegetables before eating;
• Dispose of sewage in a sanitary manner;
• Food handlers with symptoms of Norwalk-like illness should not prepare or touch food.

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Norwalk outbreak shuts two wards at B.C. hospital

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</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Norwalk virus hits Burnaby hospital

By Grant Granger
NewsLeader
Mar 17 2006

An outbreak of the Norwalk virus has temporarily closed two wards to new admissions at Burnaby Hospital.

Helen Carkner, Fraser Health Authority vice-president of communications, said 21 patients and at least 33 staff have been affected by the outbreak of Norwalk, which is a gastrointestinal illness that causes violent nausea and diarrhea. Carkner said the employee numbers may actually be higher because, since it?s spring break for schools, some others may have also been affected. The two wards that have been closed have 110 beds with 89 patients occupying them.

Earlier this week specimens were sent to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control which confirmed the diagnosis. The FHA said outbreak management protocols have been implemented to help those specializing in infection control halt the spread of the illness.

?Quite probably it was brought in by someone who was ill visiting a patient in the hospital. That?s the most common way it enters a hospital,? said Carkner late Friday afternoon.
Since the closures are going to cause a backup in the emergency department, BH?s clinicians are advising patients with minor ailments and injuries to see their family doctor or go to a walk-in clinic, said Carkner.

?Waits are long enough as it is in the emergency,? said Carkner, who pointed out Burnaby Hospital?s emergency is one of the busiest in the region. ?When patients can?t be admitted then the emergency department becomes an in-patient unit.?
Patients with severe symptoms, such as chest pains or breathing difficulties, should go to the nearest emergency.

Carkner said the hope is to be able to open the wards up by the middle to the end of next week. They must be closed for at least 72 hours after the last symptom has gone away. Affected staff cannot return to work until at least 48 hours after their last symptom. Carkner said unaffected staff have been more than willing to accept shifts and come in to replace those that are sick.

?I was just over there and they seem to be really coming through,? said Carkner.
The Children?s Urgent Care Clinic at the hospital is still receiving patients during its normal hours, 5-8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekends.
The FHA is encouraging the public to contact the 24-hour BC Nurseline at 1-866-215-4700 for more information. The line offers translation services in 130 languages.


http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/por...d=611290&more=

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