RVH closes section of unit due to Gastroenteritis outbreak

Monday afternoon, RVH closed a section of one of its medical units in response to a contained outbreak of gastro intestinal virus, which caused over a dozen patients and staff to become ill since last Thursday. In order to reduce the risk of transmission, no new patients will be admitted to the 40 bed Continuing Complex Care unit (3-South-B); no patients will be discharged into the community; and no visitors will be allowed on the 3SB until Public Health has declared the outbreak over and all patients and staff have been symptom free for 48 hours.

Visitation throughout the rest of the hospital remains unchanged.

Most people with gastroenteritis will experience one to three days of nausea, vomiting, cramps and watery diarrhea. Symptoms may also include headache, fatigue, chills and muscle pain. Severe illness of hospitalization caused by gastroenteritis is uncommon, however the infection may be more severe in older individuals, young children or those with existing medical conditions.

The hospital has taken aggressive measures to investigate and contain the increased incidence of C. difficile, including the creation of an Emergency Operations Centre and the implementation of a comprehensive 50-point Action Plan. RVH is monitoring the situation continuously and is working with Public Health to identify the C. difficile strain.

Today, a team of four infectious disease specialists will be at RVH to begin a thorough investigation.

The single most important preventive measure we can take to reduce the spread of C. difficile and gastroenteritis is to frequently and thoroughly wash your hands.