Norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug often associated with food poisoning and the flu, has stricken 33 nurses, physicians and various other staff members at Oregon Health & Science University's Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Ore.
Here are five things to know about the outbreak.
1. So far the outbreak has not affected any patients, according to John Townes, MD, director of infection prevention and control at OHSU.
2. The first case was documented on June 5 and by June 15 as many as 15 staff members had symptoms of norovirus, including vomiting and diarrhea.
3. The hospital ordered a deep cleaning of restrooms, lounges and clinical areas and also banned food and drink from common spaces within the ICU.
4. The last identified case was on June 25, and OHSU officials believe the outbreak to be over.
5. Norovirus spreads very easily and quickly. There is no vaccine to prevent it and no drug to treat it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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