St. John’s Lutheran Ministries nursing home and Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center have been suffering from norovirus outbreaks, restricting visitors and activities. Full story from Diane Cochran at The Billings Gazette
Health officers are investigating outbreaks of norovirus at two Yellowstone County nursing homes, officials said Thursday.
About 100 residents and staff at the St. John’s Lutheran Ministries nursing home in Billings and 20 more at Evergreen Health and Rehabilitation Center in Laurel have been sick with the virus during the last week.
“This is the time of year when we traditionally see norovirus,” said Dr. Doug Moore, chief of public health for the Yellowstone City-County Health Department, which is investigating the outbreaks. “People are indoors more. There’s more close contact.”
Norovirus, also called Norwalk virus, is characterized by the sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms typically last 24 hours and can lead to severe dehydration and, in rare cases, death.
