A5

By Alan Cochrane
Canadaeast News Service

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An outbreak of the stomach flu and confirmed cases of the Norwalk Virus haven't been reported in New Brunswick yet, but health officials are urging people in this province to remain vigilant and take precautions against the spread of germs as they head back to work and school following the Christmas break, especially since cases of the viruses have been confirmed as close as in Prince Edward Island.

"A lot of people might get sick but simply don't report it or get tested, so it could be that there is a flu in this province and we don't know about it," said Dr. Scott Giffin, a medical officer for the New Brunswick Department of Health.

He said New Brunswick usually experiences a flu outbreak just after Christmas, mainly because of new germs coming in with people who have been travelling over the holidays. Nursing homes, schools, offices and other places where people come into contact with each other are the most likely spots where germs can be spread.

Reports out of Summerside, P.E.I., this week said a nursing home there appears to be the hardest hit by a strain of stomach flu moving through the community. The virus causes both diarrhea and vomiting. People also lost their appetite for three or four days. A spokesman for the P.E.I. Health Department said the flu has also shown up at the Prince County Hospital's emergency department. There were three confirmed tests for the Norwalk Virus in Charlottetown and Summerside.

Although there haven't been any confirmed tests for the Norwalk Virus in New Brunswick, Giffin is urging people in this province to remain vigilant, watch for symptoms and take precautions against the spread of germs. He said nursing home residents are especially vulnerable to the flu virus, especially during Christmastime, when they receive more visitors from out of province. Many nursing homes have hand-washing stations at the front door and urge visitors to use them to prevent the spread of disease. Flu viruses normally travel through the spread of food or water and by personal contact. People are reminded to wash their hands before eating, drinking or preparing food, and especially after using the washroom or coming in contact with toilets.

Giffin said the Norwalk virus strikes quickly, with only a two-day incubation period, and people can continue to remain infectious for two or three days after they become ill.

Outbreaks of Norwalk virus frequently occur in institutional settings such as schools and nursing homes, where infection is passed person to person. They also occur in group settings such as banquet halls, cruise ships, dormitories, and campgrounds, where outbreak sources are usually contaminated food and/or water. Food that has been handled by infected individuals may also become contaminated and cause outbreaks.

The illness can cause vomiting and/or non-bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Patients also complain of headache, nausea, and fever. Frequent hand washing with soap and running water is important, especially after visits to the washroom and before handling food. Prompt disinfection of contaminated surfaces and soiled clothing will also help prevent the spread of the disease. Regular household-bleach based cleaners are effective. Thorough cooking destroys Norwalk virus but the virus can survive for 30 minutes at 60°C.