Norovirus at Maryland Assisted Living Facility
According to the Baltimore County Health Department, 146 residents of Oak Crest Village, an assisted living facility of 1,700 seniors, reported symptoms of nausea and vomiting beginning March 24. Although health officials have not confirmed what is causing the illness, they suspect norovirus. To date, 7 people have been hospitalized.
Each year there are a number of norovirus outbreaks in nursing homes and assisted care facilities. This is troubling because norovirus is particularly dangerous for the elderly, who are at greater risk to become severely dehydrated or to develop other serious medical complications. Residential facilities that house the elderly need to take greater precautions to prevent norovirus and other foodborne illnesses. According to an article in the Northeast Reporter, certain precautionary measures were taken by Oak Crest Village after the norovirus outbreak:
As a result of the outbreak, changes to the buffet were made. Instead of having a self-service buffet, the food from the buffet is now served by gloved wait staff. Sneeze-guards have also been installed since the outbreak of the illness. Resident Helen Wagner said she and her husband didn't catch the bug, but are still taking precautions. "We are staying away from the dining room," she said. "It's a lot of people here and you just don't know who is washing their hands."
Perhaps if the precautionary measures above had been put into place before the outbreak, 146 residents would not have become violently ill.
