County health inspectors could not pinpoint the cause of the flu-like illness that has struck residents and workers.
By ALEX LEARY
Published May 22, 2004
HUDSON - A flu-like virus has sickened about 60 residents and employees at Baypoint Village assisted living facility on State Road 52, sending eight to the hospital.
County health inspectors visited the site Friday, though no conclusive cause was determined. Stool samples will be collected over the weekend and sent to a Tampa lab for analysis. Results are expected next week.
"Our biggest concern is whether there was any food borne aspect to this," said Dr. Marc Yacht, head of the Pasco County Health Department. "At this point, I don't know whether that's true."
Baypoint Village has 200 residents, who range in age from 70 to 95, and 65 employees. It is owned by Atria Senior Living Group Inc. of Louisville, Ky. Atria owns nine other assisted living facilities in Florida, including Windsor Woods in Hudson.
Atria's area senior executive director Dee Isguzar said the illness first appeared late last week, and since then eight people were sent to the hospital at their request. "We'd rather be safe," she said.
Isguzar said the company brought in an industrial hygienist to evaluate the situation and he determined it was a virus.
Isguzar did not have additional details on the virus other than that it caused diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms last about two days, she said.
The dining hall was closed last week and remained so Friday because that is where large groups of residents congregate, not because the company had concerns about food, Isguzar said. Also, social events have been canceled.
The Health Department said previous kitchen inspections of the facility went fine.
Residents have been asked to stay in their rooms and meals are brought to them, Isguzar said. Also, air filters in the facility have been changed.
She did not have specific information on the condition of the residents who went to the hospital, but said some had been released, adding, "It's not life or death for the residents."
Yacht said the facility seemed to have taken proper steps to contain the problem and said it is not uncommon for a virus to spread within a confined population. "It's just the way it is."
- Alex Leary can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6247, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6247. His e-mail address is leary@sptimes.com
