Brevard County, FL (NursingSalary.org) – Eight nursing homes have been quarantined so far in Florida’s Brevard County because of the Nonovirus outbreak. Formerly known as Norwalk agent, it is an RNA virus responsible for gastroenteritis outbreaks all around the world. The virus transmits itself through person-to-person contact, food contamination, water contamination and surface contamination.
Viral Outbreak at Nursing Homes in the US
Rockledge Health and Rehabilitative Center is one of the quarantined nursing homes. In the aftermath of the outbreak, nursing home authorities have isolated many of its residents and limited the inflow of visitors. In some cases, children have been affected as well. Paula Giorgio, one of the residents at the Rockledge Health Center said, “They’ve kept everybody in their rooms and gave everybody hand sanitizer and everything.”
The US Health Department is supposing that the reason for Nonovirus outbreak could be the large inflow of patients and visitors in the nursing homes. It is also a fact that the residents in the quarantined nursing homes may not have the mental or physical capacity to look after themselves in a hygienic way. Nurses and doctors at these facilities have asked residents not to touch anything or eat anything without their supervision.
Sick Nursing Home Residents
Moreover, there are no vaccines available at the moment to fight the virus outbreak. The health department says that Nonovirus outbreak at this time of the year is common and those nursing homes which are afflicted with it should take emergency precautions immediately. So far, the eight quarantined nursing homes have been deem fit for the residents to stay but the nursing home authorities are still mindful and taking necessary precautions to protect the patients.
The Nonovirus spreads easily and therefore, nursing homes should have intensive disinfecting facilities to completely clear off the virus outbreak. As per the health department directive, the nursing home staff are taking proper precautions and following health department guidelines. It takes usually about two weeks for the virus to clear itself out of a building. In the meantime, outsiders should restrict themselves from visiting the nursing homes.
Nursing Homes under Quarantine
Excruciating stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea are some of the symptoms of Nonovirus. While some people get cured within few days, others may take longer time – it all depends on the immune system of the person. Even though the nursing homes are disinfecting the buildings, doctors suggest that infected patients should practice good hygienic manners to get rid off the virus at the earliest.
