60 Sickened at Dulles Hyatt

WWDC Fox Channel 5 - Wash. DC

[appalachian_dweller]

60 People sickend by virus similar to virus that's been hitting the cruise ships. Just caught the last of the report...will watch the 11 o'clock new for more.

[paul in cape]

Testing out Bio-Terror?

[aristeides]

Do they know what virus has been hitting the cruise ships?

[FReepaholic]

>>...Do they know what virus has been hitting the cruise ships?...<<

I'm thinking it was the Norwalk Virus, or something similar sounding.

[aristeides]

The Norwalk virus is a kind of norovirus. Is that what you heard?

[appalachian_dweller]

Yes, they said it was a norovirus. Watching channel 9 now and they're not saying anything about it yet.

[appalachian_dweller]

Have been scanning the local news channels, no one is saying anything about it yet. Will continue to monitor the local news.

[FairOpinion]

Brief news in Washington Post:

EXCERPT:

The Hyatt Hotel in Herndon has been shut down for the weekend after 60 guests became ill.

Officials with the state Health Department believe it's the Norovirus, similar to the one that sickened passengers on several cruise ships earlier this year.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26458-2003Jun6.html?nav=hptop_tb

[Shermy]

Transmission poosibilities: restaurant salad bar, food service personnel, some thought it can be transmitted in closed water systems.

What is the Norwalk Virus?

[TaxRelief]

It's back to hygeine again. Norovirus can probably be spread the same way SARS spread through Amoy Gardens in Hong Kong: an oversized ventilation system back-pulling fumes from the septic system or another bathroom where someone is vomiting.

You can get sick from breathing the fumes of someone who vomited.

Could also be a food handler or front desk worker infecting everyone because of poor hygeine.

Unlike SARS, norovirus is highly contagious. It takes as little as 10 virus particles to cause an infection.

[TaxRelief]

It can survive the normal 10ppm chlorine that is added to drinking water, and contaminations can occur to the water from sewer leaks.

[appalachian_dweller]

Thanks very much for the link. Hygene is key to preventing this. Have a friend in w/ Arlington Fire & Rescue. His favorite saying...WASH YOUR HANDS. I think I'll buy more soap tomorrow.

[TaxRelief]

Testing out Bio-Terror? You know, when norovirus is on the loose, 60 is not a very large number.

[appalachian_dweller]

Will home filter systems catch this?

[TaxRelief]

Hygiene is the key and hand washing is important, but people also have to learn to keep their hands off their faces and their fingers out of their eyes.

[Fred Mertz]

What is a norovirus? In layman's terms, please.

[TaxRelief]

What type of filter systems? You mean the HVAC?

[LurkerNoMore!]

Hi Fred.

norovirus?

[appalachian_dweller]

Yes indeed. I rub my eyes without thinking about it when I'm tired. I'm going to make a effort to stop it.

[TaxRelief]

Watery stool, sudden vomiting, stomache cramps, low-fever possible, sore hiney a guarantee!