[Archived] Gastrointestinal Illness Reported at Two Alexandria Facilities

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

For Immediate Release:
February 22, 2004
PIO 045-04

For More Information Contact:
Bob Custard 571.221.7288 (cell)
Environmental Health Manager
Alexandria Health Department

Gastrointestinal Illness Reported at Two Alexandria Facilities

Two assisted living/nursing home facilities in the City of Alexandria are experiencing an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal illness. In one facility, 33 residents and nine staff members have become ill over the last six days. In the second facility, four residents and three staff members have become ill in the last 24 hours. As of noon today, (Feb. 22) none of the ill persons have died and only two have been hospitalized.

The Alexandria Health Department is actively working with the staff of these facilities to determine the cause of this increased number of illnesses. This is being done by interviewing patients and staff about their symptoms and by obtaining samples for laboratory testing. Sample results from the state laboratory are not expected before Wednesday or Thursday.

Preliminary information from the facilities indicates that the cause of the illness may be norovirus, a common gastrointestinal disease characterized by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus is highly infectious and is easily spread from person to person. Symptoms generally last between two and three days, without serious or long-term health effects. Elderly or immunocompromised persons in poor health are most at risk of serious complications from this illness.

These facilities are actively working with the Alexandria Health Department to implement measures to contain possible further spread of this illness. These measures include:
1. strict handwashing precautions,
2. minimizing contact between ill and well residents,
3. excluding any ill employees from direct patient care or preparing or serving food,
4. using disposable tableware for foodservice operations,
5. disinfecting all possibly contaminated surfaces, and
6. limiting visitors to the facilities until this illness outbreak is contained.

There is no reason to believe that this is a bioterrorist event.

December 2003
Alexandria Health Department

Norovirus Fact Sheet

What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a virus that causes the “stomach flu,” or vomiting and diarrhea, in people.
What are the symptoms of illness caused by norovirus?
Norovirus illness usually begins 1-2 days after exposure, but can appear as early as 10 hours after exposure. Symptoms
usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Sometimes people have a low-grade fever, chills,
headache, muscle aches, and feel tired. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only 1 or 2 days.
How serious is norovirus disease?
Norovirus disease is usually not serious, but people may feel very sick. Most people get better within 1 or 2 days, and
have no long-term health effects from the illness. Sometimes people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace what
they lose from vomiting and diarrhea, and they can become dehydrated and need to see a doctor. This problem usually
occurs only among the very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
How is norovirus spread?
Noroviruses are very contagious and spread easily from person to person. The virus is found in the stool and vomit of
infected people. People can become infected in several ways, including eating food or drinking liquids that are
contaminated by infected food handlers, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then touching
their mouth before handwashing or having direct contact with another person who is infected and then touching their
mouth before handwashing. Outbreaks also have occurred from eating undercooked oysters harvested from
contaminated waters - cooking kills the virus. Drinking water contaminated by sewage can also be a source of these
viruses. Persons working in day-care centers or nursing homes should pay special attention to children or residents
who have norovirus illness. This virus can spread quickly in these places.
How long are people contagious?
People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery.
Some people may be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery. Therefore, good handwashing is important, and
persons infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover.
Infected people do not become long-term carriers of norovirus.
Who gets norovirus infection?
Anyone can become infected with this virus. Because there are many different strains of norovirus, norovirus illness
can recur throughout a person’s lifetime.
What treatment is available for people with norovirus infection?
Currently, there is no specific medication or vaccine for norovirus. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with
antibiotics. By drinking certain fluids, like juice or water, people can reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated.
Sports drinks do not replace the nutrients and minerals lost during this illness.
Do infected people need to be excluded from school or work?
Since the virus is passed in the stool, children in daycare, health care workers, or people who handle food should not
go to school or work while they have diarrhea. Persons who work in nursing homes, take care of patients, or handle
food should stay out of work until at least three days after symptoms subside.
Can norovirus infections be prevented?
You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with norovirus by:
• Washing hands frequently
• Promptly disinfecting contaminated surfaces with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners
• Washing soiled clothing and linens
• Avoiding food or water from sources that may be contaminated
• Cooking oysters completely to kill the virus