Norovirus confirmed in Toronto’s Humber College

The outbreak of norovirus, a virulent stomach bug at a campus residence at Humber College North, near Highway 27 and Finch Avenue West was confirmed Monday evening by TPH, CBCNews Toronto reports said.

Students who were living in residence at the college’s north campus started becoming ill Thursday with vomiting and abdominal pains.

During the weekend, TPH collected specimens from the sick students to be tested.

“TPH has received laboratory results that confirm norovirus in the stool samples from two ill cases. These laboratory results are consistent with the signs and symptoms that have been reported,” said Dr. Michael Finkelstein, the associate medical officer of health.

“We have additional to do testing which will provide further information,” CBCNews Toronto reports said.

According to Public Health Agency, Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. The viruses are very contagious and people can become infected with the virus in several ways, including through direct contact with another infected person; touching surfaces or objects such as door handles contaminated with a norovirus; and eating contaminated food or drinking water.

People exposed to the virus usually develop symptoms of illness within 12 to 48 hours and can be contagious from the moment they start feeling ill to at least three days after they have recovered. Some people may be contagious for almost two weeks after recovery.

Most foodborne outbreaks of norovirus illness occur when food is contaminated by food handlers who have the virus, especially if they don’t wash their hands properly after using the bathroom. Waterborne outbreaks are often caused by sewage contamination of drinking water from wells and recreational water.

Humber is proceeding with all environmental cleaning recommendations, Finkelstein said.

Students who became sick were asked to stay away from school for two days after their symptoms have passed.

According to local public health officials it was common for the contagious illness to appear between October and April, and often cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Brenda Miller, Manager of Health Protection and Investigation with the Region of Waterloo says it’s very easy to spread it.

“Touching common surfaces, sharing a lot of shared space together just allows it to circulate quite quickly,” said Miller.

“In the past, we have had long-term care facilities involved with outbreaks. We do know, it’s circulating out there in the community right now so it’s not something unforseen or something that we don’t expect at this particular time, ” 570News reports said.

Regularly washing one’s hands thoroughly and often is a protection from Norovirus, and it’s recommended you stay home from work or school if you come down with the virus.

Patients were advised to drink plenty of liquids to replace fluids that are lost from throwing up and diarrhea. Sports drinks and other drinks without caffeine or alcohol and oral rehydration fluids that you can get over the counter are most helpful for mild dehydration.

Officials say there has been no major increase in the number of students falling ill at a college in northwest Toronto after 215 reported becoming sick in the last four days.

According to the college, about 75 percent of the students who were ill now say they are feeling better. It also said that staff are working hard to ensure the outbreak doesn't get worse.

Food vendors on campus have discarded open food items that might have become contaminated by sick students. Self-serve food areas, such as soup and salad bars, have been shut down.

TPH food safety inspectors were on campus to inspect food vendors.

Andrew Leopold, communications director at Humber College, said staff were working hard to prevent the sickness from spreading.

"As of this morning, the number of ill students has not increased appreciably and we are working diligently to ensure that this continues," he said, CBCNews Toronto reports said.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

Image: unh.edu