267 Queen Street West,
Saint Marys,
N4X 1C4
Ontario,
Canada
The recent gastrointestinal outbreak at St. Marys Memorial Hospital has been declared over by the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA). The outbreak had been confirmed on the Inpatient Unit on June 29, 2023. The virus responsible for the outbreak was identified as Norovirus. Norovirus is commonly referred to as the stomach flu and causes an infection in the stomach and intestines. This infection is not caused by the influenza virus.
“The impact on our patients, their families and on our entire health care team during an outbreak is significant,” says Erica Jensen, Manager Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Control. “Being able to declare the outbreak over is a testament to our team’s dedication and commitment to ensuring a safe environment and I thank all for their efforts.”
Norovirus is very contagious and is easily transmitted from person to person most through the oral/fecal route. Considering that hand sanitizer does NOT work against this virus, it is important to wash your hands with soap frequently. Use bleach to clean and disinfect surfaces.
In case you experience Norovirus symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and nausea, report it now. It can help to detect & resolve outbreaks early and prevent others from being harmed, and it enables better surveillance. If symptoms persist, seek medical care.
Source:
www.hpha.ca