CALGARY- An Okotoks retirement home is dealing with an outbreak of norovirus.
Alberta Health Services was first made aware of the situation at The Heartland on Jan. 31, after nine different residents came down with symptoms of the virus.
Tests confirmed the presence of norovirus, but officials say gastrointestinal illnesses are not uncommon, especially this time of year.
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“We see a bit of a cycle, every second year can be a banner year if you want to call it that, in terms of the number gastrointestinal outbreaks from norovirus,” explais Dr. Judy MacDonald, medical officer of health. “Last year was a banner year, this year not as many, but we still have it.”
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and fever, typically lasting 48 hours.
AHS has recommended some standard infection prevention and control measures to the facility, but so far there is no quarantine in place.
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