"Norwalk" Virus Found At L.I. [Long Island, NY] Hospitals

1010 WINS ^ | Dec 19, 2002 | Staff

[LurkedLongEnough]

(1010 WINS) (East Meadow, Long Island) -- The so-called "cruise ship virus" has shown up at two Long Island hospitals. Several wards at the Nassau University Medical Center and Saint Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson have been closed to new patients to prevent the spread of the virus.

At least 19 patients at the medical center's psychiatric ward are believed to have the virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea. And 21 patients in two wards at Saint Charles Hospital had the gastro-intestinal illness last week. One of the wards has since been re-opened.

The virus is called the "Norwalk Virus" after an outbreak in Norwalk, Ohio in 1971.

Health officials say about 23 (M) million people get the virus each year. The virus usually passes in two to three days. However 50-thousand people require hospitalization and about 300 people each year die from the virus.

The virus hit a few cruise ships in recent months.

Visitors to the infected wards at the hospitals have been given their own elevatorsto use. They also wear gowns and gloves while visiting, and must wash their hands before and after the visit.

[LurkedLongEnough]

After seeing the other news about the cruises, outbreaks in Toronto and on the USS Roosevelt, I thought this was coincidental.

[Stevieboy]

And Finland, and Calgary and Alaska... Thank goodness this thing seems like nothing more than a flu.

[alisasny]

My 10 year old son and I both just got over this virus. It was not pretty, in fact it was evil. We are on Long Island. We were sick for days. We would feel better only to get sick again. We came down with it last wednesday and I still dont have my appetite back. My son is better but still not 100 % either. We hope the rest of our family does not get it at this point.

My husband works in nursing home in NYC, several patients have it.

This is not terror folks....I just think this years virus is more potent.

[alisasny]

which causes vomiting and diarrhea.

This is putting it nicely..we were sicker then that. Our muscles hurt so much we wanted to cut our legs off. You couldn't even get to the bathroom.

[Diana Rose]

Imagine being depressed and have a case of VD (vomiting and diarrhea). That is the pits.

[twigs]

My heart goes out to you and your son. About 20 years ago, when I was single, I got sick about this time of year with some kind of flu. My roommate had already left for the holidays and I was alone. I managed to call in sick for work. I was so weak I could not get down the stairs for food; I went several days without eating. I laid for much of the time in the hall near the bathroom so that I could just get to it. I've never been so sick in my entire life!

[katnip]

Yikes!

I'm on Long Island too Alisa. My husband is spending this week as an outpatient at North Shore University Hospital.

I hope he doesn't catch this or bring it home.
Sorry you and the little guy were so sick.

[alisasny]

WE are hard pressed to figure out where we got it. My tenants little son was sick several weeks ago and my kids were playing with him but only my one son got it. We havent been near any sick people. However some carriers dont even get it. I never saw my son so sick. He has had stomach virus before but one day deals, not 5 days. Just know its spread from fecal matter so tell your husband to wash constantly! Not to shake anybodies hands ect. He can isolate himself in that manner which I think is the best idea.