It’s nasty, it’s wildly contagious and it hit the student population hard at Delta Secondary School.
Fraser Health has confirmed that about 300 students at the Ladner high school fell ill in a probable Norovirus outbreak. On Thursday, scores of students either called in sick or fell extremely ill while at school, showing the telltale signs of the hardy and highly contagious virus, including diarrhea, vomiting, as well as headaches.
Norovirus outbreaks are seen in the news more often occurring in care homes or cruise ships.
People can become infected with the gastrointestinal virus in several ways, including when someone vomits and people nearby swallow tiny droplets from the air.
Infection can also occur through direct contact with another person who is infected. Some of those transmission examples include sharing food or eating utensils. Another way is by touching contaminated surfaces or objects, such as door handles, countertops and desktops. The virus can survive for a long time on surfaces, so proper cleaning practices is a must.
Parents were assured that while very unpleasant, Noro usually passes after 24 to 48 hours in otherwise healthy individuals. Outbreaks occur throughout the year but the incidence is higher from the fall through to the late spring.
A cleaning crew arrived at the DSS to begin a massive decontamination effort, wiping down high-use surfaces throughout the school with a special cleaning solution. Meanwhile, food inspectors were to investigate the cafeteria as a possible source.
According to the B.C. Centre for Disease control, in areas where someone has vomited, after it's been washed, disinfection is required with a bleach solution because normal household cleaners do not work for most viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
The school was scheduled to open Friday.
Noting a new strain of Norovirus has been hitting B.C., FHA medical health officer Mark Bigham told the Optimist the health region is investigating but it’s believed the outbreak was most likely Norovirus, based on the symptoms of the students.
He said it could spread quickly in close communities like a school.
“Contaminated hands are the most responsible for the person-to-person spread of this. So it shows the importance of the public health message to be very careful and thorough in washing your hands," said Bigham.
He also said the virus isn’t an airborne disease like tuberculosis, but its hardy enough on surfaces to remain extremely contagious, thus the importance of thorough hand washing.
The school district is urging those who believe they may have the virus to stay home, as well as get plenty of rest and liquids. It is recommended that students and staff stay home for two days after their symptoms stop.
