Worst norovirus outbreak in Northland

Three rest homes remain in lock-down while staff work to control the spread of the worst-ever norovirus outbreak Northland.
The highly infectious norovirus gastroenteritis has spread through five Whangarei rest homes in recent weeks, affecting nearly 300 people and being linked to the deaths of two.
Three of the rest homes have managed to control the norovirus outbreaks, but the virus has now spread to a rest home in Kaitaia, meaning three Northland rest homes are still off limits to non-essential visitors.
The outbreaks in Jane Mander Retirement Village, Puriri Court and Parahaki Court have all been declared over, while Kamo Home and Village, Shalom Aged Care and Switzer Residential Care will all need to wait at least another four days to be cleared.
Northland Medical Officer of Health Jonathan Jarman yesterday said the number of people with confirmed or suspected norovirus gastroenteritis from rest homes was 298, up from 283 on Tuesday.
"I'm not aware of an outbreak that has involved so many people and so many rest homes in the past," he said. "Norovirus is a very difficult disease to control, so all of the affected rest homes have done an outstanding job to minimise the spread or get rid of the virus completely."
Mr Jarman said there was no indication the virus was directly spreading from home to home.
It was more likely sick family members were unwittingly passing the virus to their relatives while visiting them.
"The moral of the story is that it is so important to keep elderly away from sick people. The risks are not worth it.
"Please do not visit your elderly friends or relatives if you have an illness like the flu or have symptoms of a tummy bug."
Norovirus gastroenteritis is not a notifiable disease amongst the general public and, therefore, there was no way of knowing how many people had it.
The close living conditions of residents meant outbreaks were not uncommon in rest homes, and elderly people were likely to be hit harder than others, he said.
"I am hopeful that this Northland norovirus outbreak will soon be over but the rest homes will have to stay extra-vigilant over the next few weeks to make sure that the virus is not re-introduced."
The Northland Health Board has advised affected rest homes to place warning signs at all entry points and ask all non-essential visitors to stay away.
Essential visitors, including staff, have been advised to wear gowns, surgical masks and gloves to stop the virus from spreading.
Norovirus is spread by contact with infected people, eating contaminated food or drinking untreated water.
The symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, headache, chills and aching muscles.
The symptoms usually improve after one or two days.