Tag Archives: voro

International

Norovirus / Tummy Bug update 27 April 2013: Scottish hospital worst case! Dogs going down!

Westchester County, New York U.S.A., reporting at least 100 people got sick at a weekend fundraising event at the Rye Brook hotel.  County health officials say there could be more cases.

In New Hampshire U.S.A., a second test confirmed that the Pembroke Academy drama club got sick from norovirus.  The drama club said they got sick after eating a take out order from Olive Garden.

Saint Clair County, Michigan U.S.A., reporting outbreaks.  County officials say at least five long-term care facilities, hospital facilities and schools were hit with norovirus.

In Montana U.S.A., state Department of Health and Human Services officials reporting a spike in cases.   At least 20 outbreaks affecting 500 people have hit the sparsely populated Big Sky Treasure state, since the beginning of the year.  Officials say that’s twice the normal yearly cases.

In Dorset, England U.K., the Poole Hospital ended its visitor restrictions. Hospital officials restricted visitation early this month, blaming it on norovirus cases not only in the hospital but in the local community as well.

In Edinburgh, Scotland U.K., the Liberton Hospital is still under restrictions after nearly two months.  At least 321 patients have become sick with norovirus. Hospital officials say it’s the worst outbreak they’ve seen, and are begging for help: “We have had a ­continuing problem with ­norovirus and are actively ­seeking information.”-Alison McCallum, NHS Lothian

On the Isle of Man, British Empire, a stomach bug outbreak is being blamed on unsanitary handling of livestock.  Some of the cases have been confirmed to be Cryptosporidium (a parasite) and Campylobacter (a bacteria).

In Cheshire, England U.K.,  a company claims to have created a cleanser that will kill many microbes, including norovirus, in less than one minute. The company also claims hospitals in Germany and Austria are using it. It’s called Noroclear, and does not use any harsh chemicals like bleach.   Company officials acknowledge there are other products which work, but none work in less than a minute.  They would not reveal what Noroclear is made from.

On the Jersey Channel Islands, British Empire, people are being told not to go to hospitals or health clinics if they are sick with norovirus.  This is an effort to reduce the spread of the virus.  There is no treatment for norovirus.

In Canada, the Saskatoon Health Region warning of yet another tummy bug outbreak.  This time as many as 500 are sick, after attending a provincial dance competition.  Health officials say the number of cases could go up because at least 1000 people attended the competition.

In Galway, Ireland, visitation has been restricted at University College Hospital.  Hospital officials say they are dealing with an outbreak, and to prevent filling all beds with vomiting bug patients they want people to stay away, especially if they’ve been sick with the bug.

The Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, in Scotland U.K., has been hit with an outbreak yet again.  This time at least 28 patients and nine staff are sick.

The Muddy Boots farm in Fife, Scotland U.K., under investigation after 16 cases of cryptosporidiosis (a parasite). The farm owners don’t like being blamed: “All the tests they conducted have come back negative. They are not willing to clear us….”-Treina Samson

In Cumbria, England U.K., the Furness General Hospital is reporting an escalation in the outbreak there.  Wards have been closed, as well as admissions: “Despite every effort by the trust, the highly contagious bug has continued to spread and the MAU is now significantly affected. In order to ensure that the hospital can return to normal as soon as possible, the decision has been made to close the MAU to admissions….”-spokesman for Morecambe Bay NHS

In Cornwall, England U.K., a man was prevented from seeing his dying wife at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske.  They blamed a norovirus outbreak.  The man’s wife died from cancer the next day.  Just more proof of how sucky the British Empire health system is.

In Pennsylvania U.S.A., the outbreak at Saint Katharine of Siena School in Wayne continues.  At latest count, 140 students and teachers became sick.  Also, a dog camp in North Hills closed after dogs became sick.  They will remain closed until 02 May.

‘Tis the season for cicadas.  Entomologists are warning that while your pets wont be killed by eating these loud bugs, if they eat too many they could suffer the same symptoms as norovirus.  Before getting too concerned try to remember if your dog or cat was munching down on some of these faux locusts.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

Norovirus Update, 20 January 2013: Hybrid Pandemic! Blame those so called environmentaly friendly reusable shopping bags! Hand sanitizers do not work!

“This virus is just unbelievably contagious.”-Paul Cieslak, Oregon Public Health Division

Health officials in Oregon are reporting a spike in norovirus cases in the past two weeks.  Also, an outbreak that hit a girl’s soccer team has been linked to those so called environmentally friendly reusable shopping bags. It happened in 2010.  Last year researchers were finally able to make the link.  The first victim of the virus actually made an attempt to stay away from the other players, but seven others still got sick.  The common link was a reusable shopping bag containing food that all eight shared.  The bag-o-food was left in the bathroom, for some unintelligent reason.  The researchers speculate that the first girl vomited in the bathroom where the reusable food bag was.  With the norovirus just being in the same area of someone throwing up can get you sick, or contaminate your food.

The Sydney 2012 hybird of the Genotype II.4 strain of norovirus is spreading fast in France, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.  Ian Goodfellow at the University of Cambridge says Sydney 2012 is “the Ferrari of the virus world” and “one of the most infectious viruses of man.”

Genotype II.4 is known as a type of norovirus that causes epidemics and pandemics. Sydney 2012 is something new, it’s a hybrid between Japanese and  Dutch Genotype II.4 strains.  Aussie and Kiwi Researchers say the two 2007 strains combined to make the Sydney 2012 strain (it was first noticed in Australia in 2012).  There have been several norovirus pandemics: 1996-97, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009.

Cases of norovirus, influenza and whooping cough are all on the rise, and some are thinking there’s a connection.  Health officials in the U.S. state (Utah) now considered the launch point for Sydney 2012, say there’s no connection: “As far as we know, they’re completely coincidental and separate.”-Andy Pavia, University of Utah

In California yet another school was hit with the stomach bug.  A week ago there were ten outbreaks reported in Contra Costa County, one of them at the Lafayette elementary school. More than 100 students were sick. But this seems common for schools in Contra Costa County, in the first two months of 2012 at least 30 schools were hit.  If you didn’t hear about it last year it’s because schools are not required to make public such outbreaks!

I recently saw a report out of the U.S. midwest where hospital staff told the reporter they’re being ordered to use lots of “purell” (an alcohol based hand sanitizer). However, Contra Costa Public Health officials in California are saying alcohol based hand cleaners have no effect on norovirus!  (click here to see  study)

Also in California, Marin County Public Health officials gave a nursing home a clean bill of health after an outbreak sickened 78 people.  Six people were hospitalized, and two died.  The nursing home will no longer use a self serve buffet style eating facility, staff must now serve each person their meals while wearing gloves and hats.

In Hawaii, a week and a half ago health officials reported a sudden outbreak of norovirus at several hospitals. They were surprised by how fast it spread. So far no common link has been found, and officials hope it’s over.

In Merry Olde England, health officials are telling sick people to stay away from the hospital!  The United Kingdom‘s Health Protection Agency (HPA) is telling people to phone their doctor or clinic first if they think they’re sick.  Telling people to stay away from the hospital might have helped reduce hospital outbreaks, but, the HPA is also reporting that overall cases of vomiting bug are 56% higher when compared to the same time last year.

Also, norovirus is still alive and well in British hospitals. The Solihull Hospital was recently closed to visitors, and two wards were locked down: “Wards 15 and 19 at Solihull Hospital are currently on lock down due to norovirus.  As there are also many cases of norovirus outside the hospital in the community; Solihull Hospital has closed all wards to visitors except for the outpatients department and intensive care as a precautionary measure to protect patients. Any patients attending an outpatient appointment should not attend if they have experienced vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms two days prior to their appointment.”-hospital statement

A cruise ship company has settled a lawsuit from a woman in Scotland. She got sick with norovirus on a cruise four years ago, and is still suffering symptoms!

Health officials in France report that the number of people sick with norovirus has passed the epidemic level.

In Delaware, the Division of Public Health reports the first cases, and that there have been several outbreaks.

Here’s more proof that cleanliness does not protect you from viruses, and hospitals are the worst place to be: “They can survive freezing and heating and cleaning with many chemical disinfectants. In 2010, scientists surveyed a hospital for noroviruses and found 21 different types sitting on a single countertop. It takes fewer than 20 noroviruses slipping into a person’s mouth to start a new infection.”–Carl Zimmer, science writer National Geographic

Norovirus is also known as Norwalk virus, calicivirus, viral gastroenteritis and many other names and strains: “Symptoms of norovirus infection include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramping. Noroviruses are a group of related viruses that affect the stomach and intestines and are the most common cause of stomach and intestinal inflammation, also known as gastroenteritis, in the U.S.”-David Young, South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control

Most people are sick with symptoms for 24 to 48 hours.  However, even if you feel better you can still pass it along for almost a week afterwards.  If you’re sick with symptoms for more than 48 hours get medical help.

That said, there is no treatment for norovirus (basically the hospital tries to keep you hydrated), no vaccine, and your body does not develop immunity so you can get sick again and again and again….

Check my previous postings about norovirus.  You’ll notice most outbreaks involve hospitals.  You’ll also read about a recent study that says cleanliness might not have any affect on viruses (it’s actually one of the first studies ever to investigate such claims).