Alberta Health Services (AHS) has responded to the increase in cases of viral gastroenteritis at the Northlands evacuation and reception center. AHS has confirmed there were 40 to 50 cases reported over the weekend.
Dr. Chris Sikora told CKNW.com that AHS was on the scene and were taking a three-pronged approach to the outbreak. And in a statement, the AHS said the outbreak “is not unexpected, given the large numbers of people who are using and living at that site.”
EMS crews and nurse practitioners are on scene to help people who are ill, and the sick are being housed in a separate section of the reception center to stop the spread of the virus, reports CTV News. This move should help to limit the spread of the infection, say officials.
AHS assured people the Northlands evacuation center remains safe but is asking that friends or relatives of those sick stay away if they feel ill. Those people staying at the center are being asked to wash their hands with warm water and soap.
In order to keep the healthy people from getting sick, Dr. Sikora said, We have staff education, we have increased hand hygiene here at the site and we have increased environmental cleaning to make sure the types of services that might be contaminated are thoroughly clean. And the (last) step of the strategy is really to help assist and maintain the health of people who are ill.”
Sikora reminds people that the illness is very contagious, and keeping those who are sick hydrated is essential. Luckily, the disease usually runs its course in about three days. “Typically, these things last one to three days,” explains Sikora. “People tend to feel better on day two, and by day three they’re feeling much better.”
There are around 15,000 evacuees registered in Edmonton, with 600 still sleeping on cots at the reception center. The City of Edmonton’s Rob Brekke says that evacuees are still pouring into Edmonton as the wildfire continues to move east and west of Ft. McMurray.
