Norovirus infection can occur any time of year, however the Christmas holiday – with its many social gatherings, potlucks, buffet dinners and communal bowls of nuts and candies – can be an especially active period for Norovirus infection.
Noroviruses are the most common cause of gastro-intestinal illness in Canada, and reported outbreaks tend to peak during the winter months. This year is following that pattern and outbreaks of Norovirus illness have been declared at Victoria General and Nanaimo Regional General Hospitals.
Symptoms of a Norovirus infection can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, body aches, and sometimes fever. People typically become ill 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus, and symptoms usually last one to two days.
Norovirus particles are present in huge numbers in the stool and vomit of infected people. They are spread by the fecal-oral route, primarily through person-to-person contact, or contamination of food touched by a person who is currently ill or has been recently ill and didn't wash their hands appropriately or by airborne droplet transmission in explosive vomiting or diarrhea. Only a very small amount of virus is needed to cause infection.
"The key to control is to visualize all those tiny virus particles – exactly as with influenza,” said Dr. Martin Wale, who heads the Infection Prevention and Control program at the Vancouver Island Health Authority. “They can be removed by effective hand washing with soap and water or by using alcohol-based hand gels, by using extreme care when preparing food, and by effectively cleaning up when someone has been ill. All people really need to do is to stay at home if ill, and remember to wash their hands adequately. If everybody did that, we could prevent a majority of the illness caused by these viruses."
Visitor restrictions are in place at both Victoria General and Nanaimo General Hospital, limiting the number of visitors to two per patient during visiting hours. Visitors should not visit the hospital if feeling unwell. All visitors must follow precautions and maintain strict hand hygiene.
Anyone who suspects they may have Norovirus-like symptoms should call their family doctor’s office or the 24-hour BC Health Guide Nurse Line at 8-1-1 for help in determining the nature and urgency of their medical condition In healthy individuals, this type of virus can be managed at home with fluid replacement and rest. If however, a person becomes severely dehydrated, they should seek emergency care.
To see active outbreak sites visit: http://www.viha.ca/mho/public_health_alerts/active_outbreak_list.htm
For more information about Norovirus, please refer to the BC Health Guide Health Files at: www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/
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