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The main symptoms of the patients were fever, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Among the residents, the symptoms started in the evening and night of February 11-12.2. Hospitalization was not required due to the symptoms.
The most likely cause of stomach disease has been cucumber-pineapple green salad. The kitchen staff had followed the hygiene instructions and regulations laid down in the preparation of the food, but the norovirus had nevertheless been able to spread through the salad. Norovirus is easily transmitted despite good hygiene.
The kitchen's self-monitoring system was found to have no deficiencies in food safety practices. This is supported by the inspections and negative surface samples carried out by the local food control authority in December and in connection with the investigation of the epidemic after cleaning the kitchen.
Regular training and reminders of the instructions to both kitchen and nursing staff can reduce the risk of future spread of diseases with similar routes of transmission as in this case.
This epidemic study suggests that the current guidelines of the National Institute of Public Health (KHL) about returning to work only after two days without symptoms are probably not enough.
In accordance with the instructions of the local food control authority, personnel should avoid direct contact with the preparation of unheated food after a stomach bug and improve hand hygiene.
A questionnaire was distributed to all the residents of the nursing home and to the nursing staff, which mapped the facts related to illnesses.
The survey was answered by 57% (104/184) of residents and 41% (57/138) of staff members.
Almost half of those who responded to the survey reported getting sick (76/164 people). 42% (45/104) of the residents and 14% (8/56) of the staff were defined as cases of illness.
More than three quarters of all cases survived with home care.
The probable source of infection was 10.2. offered cucumber pineapple green salad
Based on food samples, norovirus was found in cucumber pineapple green salad. Food samples were not obtained from all the foods offered, and the possibility that some other food could have been contaminated cannot be excluded.
During and after the epidemic, the kitchen was disinfected and hygiene practices were enhanced. The local environmental health authority instructed the kitchen manager that after contracting a stomach bug, staff should avoid handling unheated food.
During the stomach disease epidemic, the nursing home was instructed to avoid outside visits.
More information for the media:
Attendo: Regional Director Simo Saaranen, simo. saaranenattendo.fi (simo[dot]saaranen[at]attendo[dot]fi), tel. 040 5507 358
Imatra regional environmental action (food control): Acting. director of health supervision Armi Kainulainen, armi.kainulainenmatra.fi (armi[dot]kainulainen[at]matra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 4330
Exote: Chief physician Sami Raasakka, sami.raasakkaexote.fi (sami[dot]raasakka[at]eksote[dot]fi), tel. 040 6511 594
Original media release: www.epressi.com/tiodetteet/terveys/attendon-hoiva-ja-palvelukodeissa-imatralla-todettu-vakava-vatsatautiepidemia.html)