BY JIM HALL
Three local adult-care homes are experiencing outbreaks of norovirus and have turned to the local health department for help.
The long-term care centers have tried various measures to control the winter bug, including having residents eat their meals in their rooms and telling family members that they may want to visit some other time.
Lan Nguyen, epidemiologist for the Rappahannock Area Health District, this week declined to name the homes or where they are located.
She said that the homes contacted the health department in late January. All three homes are still experiencing problems, she said.
HeartFields at Fredericksburg is one of the affected homes. A sign on the door at the U.S. 17 facility in Stafford County reads:
"Attention visitors. We presently have a number of ill residents. Please wash your hands before visiting and before leaving. You may wish to reconsider visiting at this time."
Jessica Kells, executive director at HeartFields, said yesterday that the illnesses there started about two weeks ago.
A "handful" of residents have been sick, she said. The home has capacity for 81 residents, though it has not been full, she said.
"We took aggressive measures," she said, including feeding residents in their rooms and limiting group activities.
"We're going in a good direction, and we're confident that we'll be back to normal routine fairly soon," she added.
Norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease that can move quickly through a school, nursing home, cruise ship or any place where people share close quarters.
It is seen most often between December and April. The incidence appears to be on the upswing in Virginia, according to the health department.
"In general, if it's in a location, a lot of people probably will get ill," Nguyen said.
Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramps and usually last a day or two. Victims continue to pass the virus to others for up to 72 hours after the symptoms end.
Outbreaks can occur from contaminated food. More often it is passed from person to person in the stool and vomit of victims, or through contact with a contaminated surface.
Most victims are uncomfortable for a while but recover quickly. The virus can be dangerous, however, when it leads to dehydration in the very young and elderly.
Nguyen said she has visited two of the three affected homes to talk with the administrators and staffs.
She said she recommends a strategy of "social distancing," where sick people are kept away from others and sick workers are encouraged to stay home.
She also recommends that the staff clean regularly with a diluted bleach solution. Also important is regular hand-washing.
"As simple as it sounds, it really is true that the best way to prevent the spread and to lessen your chance of getting it, is to wash your hands frequently," said Maribeth Brewster, a health department spokeswoman.
Jim Hall: 540/374-5433
Email: jhall@freelancestar.com