Northern Health has concerns over norovirus potential during tournament

With Acropolis Manor and the extended care unit of the Hospital tackling an outbreak of the norovirus, Northern Health is worried about the potential for spreading the virus through the community with so many people gathered in the city for the All Native Basketball Tournament.

The Health Authority is keeping an eye on the situation in the city and recommended that anyone exhibiting symptoms of the virus to keep a low profile and stay out of public contact as much as possible.

The Daily News featured a full examination of the concerns in Tuesday’s paper.

NH KEEN TO KEEP A LEASH ON NOROVIRUS
The Daily News
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Page One

Northern Health is asking people who may have come into contact with the norovirus to keep a low profile during this year’s All Native Basketball Tournament.

In the wake of Thursday’s news about outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness at Acropolis Manor and the extended care unit at Prince Rupert Regional Hospital, the health authority is concerned the virus may spread.

People who had symptoms of gastrointestinal illness, such as nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea in the past 48 hours should stay at home, and avoid situations where they could easily pass the illness on to others, including public gatherings, work and school.

With a large public and social gathering such as the All Native Basketball Tournament taking place in Prince Rupert this week NH adds that it’s all the more necessary to stress the importance of hand washing in preventing illness and infection.

Careful hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of disease. Wash your hands well for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Always wash your hands before and after using the washroom, before eating or preparing good and after helping someone who is ill (such as an ill child).

Northern Health public health staff will be working with organizers of this week’s tournament to get the message out about the importance of hand washing as a way to prevent illness and the need to stay at home if people have been ill.

This has been a peak year for the Norwalk-like illness across British Columbia, and other provinces. Due to its highly contagious nature, it is easily spread between patients and residents of health care facilities, and also from person to person in the general community.