Second Canadian Hospital Hit By Norwalk Virus

Second Canadian hospital hit by Norwalk virus

OTTAWA, March 20 (Xinhua) — A second hospital in Canada’s Vancouver has closed certain areas after finding cases of the potentially lethal Norwalk virus.

The Langara extended-care facility, one of St. Vincent’s Hospitals, was shut down Sunday because of a case of Norwalk and 15 possible cases of the intestinal illness, said Shaheen Shivaji of Providence Health Care, which runs the facility.

In addition, two staff members were off sick, reports reaching here said.

On Saturday, Burnaby Hospital closed two medical wards to prevent spread of the virus. Hospital spokesperson Helen Carkner said a total of 44 staff and 27 patients were thought to have been infected.

Carkner said Sunday that the hospital appeared to have the virus under control.

“It can be a seasonal thing,” she said, adding that the outbreaks came later than usual this year.

Norwalk, or viral gastroenteritis, is commonly known as stomach flu. It can cause acute diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, headaches and low-grade fever.