Jane Mander Retirement Village residents suffer from Norovirus

Almost 150 residents and staff at a Whangarei retirement village have been caught in a suspected outbreak of the nasty stomach bug Norovirus.
Jane Mander Retirement Village, in Fairway Dr, Kamo, first notified health officials of a suspected outbreak of Norovirus on Wednesday when 20 residents and staff were hit with bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting.
Northland Medical Officer of Health Jonathan Jarman said that, by yesterday the number of people affected at the retirement village stood at 144. Jane Mander Retirement Village has about 120 staff and more than 300 residents.
"The cause of the illness was not confirmed but the symptoms of the affected people were very suggestive of Norovirus infection," Dr Jarman said.
"Norovirus is a highly infectious disease which can spread quickly in places where a number of people live together such as rest homes and hospitals. Norovirus is only found in human faeces or human vomit. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pains, aching muscles, feeling off-colour and a headache."
The retirement village is owned by Ryman Healthcare. Its spokesman and chief executive officer Simon Challies, was on annual leave and unavailable for comment yesterday.
While Norovirus can be debilitating, particularly for the elderly or people with other illnesses or conditions, it's not uncommon. Three Northland rest homes and Whangarei Hospital reported outbreaks last year.
Dr Jarman said most people recover within one or two but the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions could have complications.
"Rest home Norovirus outbreaks in Northland are common and we were notified of three rest home outbreaks in December last year. This present outbreak is the first notified for 2011."
Dr Jarman said that on Wednesday his staff provided advice to Jane Mander staff with the objectives of protecting workers and stopping the virus spreading within the hospital, to visitors and people outside the rest home; and reducing the severity of the illness.
"Despite applying these outbreak measures the illness has spread throughout the retirement village. The outbreak is not said to be over until there have been no cases for at least six days from the time the last person was sick."
Measures introduced included; keeping sick residents away from other people; placing warning signs at all entrances; closing the affected areas of the rest home to non-essential visitors; sending staff home at the first suggestion of illness and promoting the importance of hand washing.
Bottles of hand sanitiser were also strategically placed around the retirement village and Dr Jarman said he understood that the residents have been very accepting of these recommendations and have followed them closely.
"The best way to avoid catching Norovirus is to wash your hands thoroughly by using plenty of soap, cleaning under the fingernails, rinsing hands and thoroughly drying on a clean towel," Dr Jarman said.