Dulles Hilton - 100 flu victims hospitalized

Dulles Hilton - 100 flu victims hospitalized
Health department officials urge caution after norovirus outbreak

The Loudoun County Department of Health is cautioning residents who have heard of the recent outbreak in Fairfax County of the highly contagious norovirus to use the same precautions as they would to prevent catching the flu.

"I'm not aware of any dangers specifically related to the Hilton," Loudoun Health Department Director Dr. David Goodfriend, referring to the 100 guests and employees who became sick yesterday at the hotel near Dulles Airport.

Sometimes called "the cruise ship virus," norovirus is easily spread by surface touch. It can be directly, or indirectly, passed.

"You get it on your hands-maybe you touched a banister or a wall that an infected person has already touched or you shook hands-then you touch your eye or your mouth," he said. Or, the virus can be spread in a restaurant, through food handling or by an infected waitperson touching utensils or crockery.

The good news is that most healthy people just suffer through the unpleasant symptoms of nausea, diarrhea and vomiting for two to three days and don't need to see a doctor or hospital, according to Goodfriend. He is more concerned for those who are more at risk, including the frail or elderly or infants, who can get severely impacted. In a large facility, such as a jail, a cruise ship or hotel, the virus is hard to get rid of because the whole building has to be completely disinfected, he said.

Since the virus first sickened elementary school-aged children in Norwalk, OH, in 1968, the country has seen outbreaks each year, including recent outbreaks in Northern Virginia. "It's not uncommon," Goodfriend said, noting it's often also called the "winter vomiting disease."

The best way for individuals to protect themselves is to constantly wash their hands, using the waterless hand sanitizers, Goodfriend advised. If individuals do get it and feel sick, "stay at home, so you won't spread it," was Goodfriend's advice.