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ALEX LEARYThe flulike illness appears to have stopped spreading through a Hudson retirement home, where residents were kept from one another.
HUDSON - The Norwalk virus, a scourge that swept through Caribbean cruise ships two years ago, was the cause of the recent flulike illness at Baypoint Village retirement community, officials said Wednesday.
Diarrhea, vomiting and cramps afflicted about 72 people in the past two weeks, officials said, revising a previous estimate of 60. Eight residents were hospitalized.
"We've had outbreaks before (in Pasco) but not of this magnitude," said Dr. Marc Yacht, head of the county Health Department. "It's a highly contagious organism."
But the virus appears to have stopped spreading, Yacht said, after residents were asked to stay in their rooms and social activities were canceled.
Disinfectant was used throughout the State Road 52 facility, and residents and staff were reminded to wash their hands regularly.
"We haven't had any new cases, but we're still watching the situation," Yacht said.
The dining hall and recreational rooms are expected to reopen today. "We've got some very happy residents and employees eager to get back to the normal day-to-day routine," Baypoint Village executive director Jill DeBoer said.
Baypoint Village, owned by Atria Senior Living Group of Louisville, Ky., has 65 employees and 200 residents ranging in age from 70 to 95.
Norwalk virus is not a large concern, and in most cases, symptoms last only a day or two. But dehydration and fever, another symptom, can be serious for the elderly, Yacht said.
"Dehydration can exacerbate or influence other medical conditions and can potentially create kidney problems," he said.
Although the cause of the illness was determined through lab analysis of stool samples, the exact source of the outbreak might never be known. The virus is found in stool and vomit and, through human contact, can find its way to food, liquid, surfaces and utensils.
For that reason, meals were brought to residents' rooms for the past two weeks, and disposable utensils and plates were used.
Baypoint Village also has tried to educate people about the virus. Residents and employees have been urged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before and after preparing food, DeBoer said.
Norwalk is one of the most common gastrointestinal viruses and spreads easily in places where people are in close, prolonged contact. In late 2002, the virus afflicted hundreds of passengers on cruise ships. Instead of basking in the sun, they were confined to their beds or the bathroom.
Assisted living facilities and nursing homes also are prone to outbreak. About 600 residents and staffers in a dozen Pinellas County nursing homes contracted the virus in 2002, according to reports.
- Times staff writer Keith St. Clair contributed to this report. 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