Four illness outbreaks are active at facilities across Vancouver Island, according to Island Health’s active outbreak list.
Three of the outbreaks are gastrointestinal or norovirus-like illnesses, while one is a flu outbreak.
The flu outbreak, identified as influenza H1N1, was declared active at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Tuesday, according to Island Health.
Meanwhile, two norovirus outbreaks were declared within this past week – including one at Chartwell Vista Retirement Community in Esquimalt on Feb. 17 – and one at Saanich Peninsula on Feb. 23.
The remaining outbreak, at The Hamlets at Duncan Residence Inc., was declared on Feb. 24.
While the Duncan outbreak classified as a gastrointestinal or norovirus-like illness, Island Health says tests are still pending to determine the exact type of illness.
Noroviruses, also known as a stomach flu, affect the stomach and intestines and are different from the regular flu, which affects the respiratory system.
Noroviruses occur every year across British Columbia, and can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
More information about noroviruses can be found on the Island Health website, and more information on influenza can be found on the HealthLinkBC website.
The four recent outbreaks are included in Island Health’s “active outbreak list.”
The list is updated every weekday, excluding statutory holidays, and when an outbreak is considered over the facility is removed from the list, which can be found online.
READ MORE: