Norovirus hits 2 institutions in Saskatchewan
3 cases confirmed at Regina hospital, 1 at Saskatoon psychiatric centre
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 | 8:08 PM ET
CBC News
The Norovirus, a serious flu-like virus that can have devastating effects on people with compromised health, has surfaced in two Saskatchewan locations.
Late Wednesday, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region issued a release saying a nursing unit at the General Hospital is under quarantine after three patients tested positive for the Norovirus. Another four patients are suspected of having the virus.
Earlier the same day, officials from the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon reported that one of their inmates had tested positive for Norovirus.
They said Norovirus was suspected when eight inmates displayed symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea one week ago. No one else was affected, they said.
There are currently 178 people being treated at the forensic psychiatric hospital. Some are there for psychiatric assessments ordered as they go through the criminal justice system. Others are sentenced offenders being treated for mental disorders.
In Regina, officials said that a nursing unit dedicated to patients with heart ailments has been closed to visitors.
They reported that 12 people, including five staff, were showing symptoms of the virus. Three patients were confirmed to have the condition.
Visitors urged to stay away
The regional authority said Norovirus is commonly found in the community and expressed concern that visitors to health-care facilities, including emergency rooms and hospitals, stay away if they have experienced any flu-like symptoms.
"At this time, we are asking the public's help in containing the outbreak of Norovirus and in using emergency departments for actual emergencies," the health region requested in a release.
"If members of the public have symptoms of gastrointestinal illness … we ask that they not visit relatives or friends in the hospital until they have been symptom-free for at least 72 hours," the release added.
Norovirus is a highly contagious viral infection that usually lasts 24 to 48 hours with symptoms that include vomiting and diarrhea.
