Outbreaks of flu and gastrointestinal illnesses have been declared at several Island Health hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Norovirus-like outbreaks have been declared at Victoria General Hospital and Saanich Peninsula Hospital, while Influenza A outbreaks have been declared at Tsawaayuus (Rainbow Gardens) in Port Alberni and Eden Gardens in Nanaimo.
Norovirus symptoms usually start about one to two days after infection with the virus and include nausea, cramping, chills, fever and usually vomiting and diarrhea that lasts 24 to 72 hours.
The virus can be spread from person to person through unwashed hands, food or water handled by a sick person, or stool and vomit from infected people, according to the B.C. Centre For Disease Control website.
The influenza virus is an infection of the upper airway, nose and throat, with symptoms including fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue and cough. Fever and other symptoms usually last up to 10 days, though the cough and weakness can last another two weeks, says the BCCDC.
Influenza can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and respiratory failure, with the very young and elderly most vulnerable.
Island Health’s active outbreak list online includes the facility affected, related ward and status of outbreaks. The number of outbreaks has decreased from earlier in the week.
