A Norovirus outbreak at the Alberta Children’s Hospital has left four children sick and sent at least 20 staff members home as health officials work to contain the illness to two affected units.
The first case was reported Wednesday.
Since then, three cases of the contagious virus have been confirmed and another child has a suspected case, said Don Stewart of Alberta Health Services.
The virus hasn’t spread beyond two medical and surgical units in the hospital, Stewart said Sunday.
"It is well contained. There’s no further spread," he said.
The units remain open, though the children affected by the virus are isolated from other patients in the wards, he said.
Roughly 20 staff members have gone home sick as a precaution, though they haven’t been tested to determine whether they have the virus, Stewart said.
Part-time and casual staff have been called in to cover the shifts, he added.
A number of measures have been put in place in the hospital to deal with the virus, which causes diarrhea and vomiting, and is easily spread.
Playrooms in all of the units have been closed. Visitors on the affected wards have been limited just to immediate family members.
Cleaning staff are also enhancing their procedures, Stewart said.
Parents at the children’s hospital on Sunday noticed signs posted, alerting visitors to an outbreak, but had no idea it was the highly contagious Norovirus.
"As long as the doctors and nurses are comfortable, we’re comfortable," said visitor Lea Vaisman.
"I think they’re doing everything possible. There’s cleaning stations everywhere," said Janine Bethune, who was visiting her granddaughter.
Like all Calgary hospitals, the children’s has a nurse and physician on staff who are the "infection control practitioners," in charge of making sure steps are taken to contain the outbreak.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the illness usually beings suddenly, about 24 or 48 hours after exposure, though symptoms can occur as early as 12 hours after exposure.
In Canada, between 300 and 400 outbreaks are reported each year.
Health officials urge frequent hand washing to ward off the spread of the virus.
jkomarnicki@theherald.canwest.com
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