Norovirus confirmed in Lincoln County
by St. John’s Lutheran Hospital
April 25, 2008
In recent weeks, there have been media reports about the outbreak of Norovirus in several Northwest Montana communities. According to Susan Horelick, RN, Infection Control Manager at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, the virus is moving through Lake County as well. Earlier this winter, the virus closed schools in Arlee due to the number of students and teachers who became ill. We hoped this illness would bypass Libby, but we have recently confirmed cases of Norovirus within our local community.
“St. John’s has had a number of employees who have come down with this virus,” she added. “But the number is not large enough to affect our ability to meet patient needs and provide quality patient care. We are taking all appropriate steps (frequent and thorough hand washing and “contact” precautions) to make sure that this disease is not spread from patients to employees and back. We are also following the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations and have asked any of our staff that have symptoms that appear to be the "stomach flu" to not report for work for at least 72 hours AFTER their symptoms go away.”
The Montana Communicable Disease Weekly Update, which comes from the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services, offers the following information and recommendations about Norovirus.
Norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness that causes diarrhea and vomiting, is highly contagious and spreads rapidly. The incubation period (the time from exposure to first symptoms) is 24 - 48 hours, and the symptoms usually last for 24 - 60 hours.
The 3 most important interventions to control the spread of this virus are:
1) Frequent and thorough hand washing (alcohol hand sanitizers do NOT work);
2)Environmental disinfection with a bleach-based cleaner; and
3) Staying home when sick and for 72 hours after the cessation of symptoms.
The reports specifically states: "It is particularly important for employers of food handlers, day care and healthcare providers to be vigilant about this disease in their staff and make sure that ill employees are NOT ALLOWED TO BE AT WORK! "
For more information about the Norovirus please Susan Horelick, RN 406-293-0164 or Amy Smart, RN, Lincoln County Public Health.
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