THUNDER BAY – Healthbeat – The Thunder Bay District Health Unit has confirmed, through laboratory tests, that Norovirus has been identified in two stool samples of people who attended the Mother’s Day buffet at This Old Barn in Murillo Ontario on Sunday, May 13 2012. The outbreak has generated a call from the TBDHU for anyone in the area who suffered from symptoms to contact them.
In a media statement, the Health Unit states, “To date, 136 people have reported being ill. Food and water samples are being processed by Public Health Ontario Laboratories in Thunder Bay and Toronto and the Health Canada Laboratory in Ottawa in an attempt to match the Norovirus found in cultures from the tested stool samples”.
“Norovirus infections are characterized by a sudden onset of diarrhea and nausea. The illness is usually short-lived; symptoms lasting on average 24 hours. This virus is commonly attributed to outbreaks in institutions, holiday resorts and mass gatherings. It is generally spread to people through contaminated food or contaminated commonly-touched surfaces (e.g. door handles, light switches) through hand-to-mouth actions”.
The Health Unit would like to hear from any individual who has not yet been contacted and consumed food or drink at This Old Barn between May 11-13.
To speak with a public health inspector, please call 625-8318. Reports can also be submitted through the Health Unit’s website at TBDHU.COM