Stomach flu virus contained at Raleigh community
Published: Fri, Jul. 11, 2008 05:35PM
Modified Fri, Jul. 11, 2008 05:35PM
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closeAn outbreak of norovirus, or stomach flu, at a North Raleigh retirement community appears to be coming under control, Wake County health officials said today.
About 30 residents have shown symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea. The cases started about July 5 when one resident fell ill and others were gradually infected, said Gibbie Harris, community health director for Wake County.
“They've got a virus, but it's a pretty severe one,” resident Elizabeth Richie said today.
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Charlene Keith, human resources director at Abbotswood at Stonehenge, said residents’ symptoms are improving after staff separated the residents with the virus from the rest of the population.
Other steps included closing Abbotswood’s dining room and thoroughly cleaning all surfaces. Harris said the norovirus can be rapidly transmitted.
“This is the same kind of virus that they have on the cruise ships, when you have a lot of people in confined spaces and they are touching things,” she said.
In 2006, 21 residents and six staff members at Chatham Creek Rest Home in Cary contracted a norovirus.
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