Suspected norovirus outbreak

PUBLIC Health officials are hopeful that what appears to be an outbreak of Norovirus affecting 29 people at Kiri Te Kanawa retirement village will soon be over.

“It looks like Norovirus, and is acting like Norovirus”, said Hauora Tairawhiti medical officer of heath Dr Margot McLean.

Tests had yet to confirm what had affected 14 residents and 15 staff members. Staff were sent home under instructions to take precautionary measures to stop the virus spreading to family members.

Residents were being kept in isolation for 48 hours after their symptoms stop, as Norovirus is highly infectious. Dr McLean said the virus was first detected 10 days ago and had peaked last week.

There had been no new cases since Saturday. The situation was close to being resolved but Hauora Tairawhiti would wait another 24 hours to make certain.

Public health staff were working closely with staff from the retirement village who were well prepared for such matters.

Outbreaks of Norovirus were common in retirement homes because of the number of older and vulnerable people living in proximity to each other, said Dr McLean. It was no reflection on the retirement home.