Hundreds ill with Norwalk virus in Edmonton
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Hundreds ill with Norwalk virus in Edmonton*
Last Updated: October 23, 2006 | 1:51 PM ET
CBC News
CANADA - About 300 people in Edmonton have come down with the highly
contagious Norwalk virus, according to an official with the regional
health authority.
Dr. Saqib Shahab of Capital Health says the outbreak has affected people
at four continuing-care facilities, four seniors homes, two daycares and
one university residence.
About 100 students at Lister Hall, part of the University of Alberta,
have reported symptoms of the gastro-intestinal illness, including
vomiting and low-grade fevers.
The effects usually last only 24 to 48 hours, but the virus can be
deadly for the elderly, the very young or people with weakened immune
systems.
Health officials say the illness spreads very fast in close quarters
such as university dormitories. Shahab says it's not unusual to have a
number of outbreaks at this time of year.
It's the same virus that recently spread through two universities in the
Maritimes — St. Francis Xavier in Nova Scotia and Mount Allison in New
Brunswick.
With files from the Canadian Press