Update: September 29 at 11:50am
Please be advised that the outbreak at the Wolf Willow Health Centre in Eastend has been rescinded and visitation at the facility may now resume.
We would like to thank the general public for adhering to the visitation restrictions during the outbreak. Thanks is also extended to staff and public health/inspection control teams for their diligence in working to rescind the outbreak as quickly as possible.
While visitation has now resumed, enteric and other illnesses continue to circulate in our communities. Frequent and proper handwashing are very important to eliminate the spreading of illnesses. In particular we ask anyone visiting a health facility to please wash your hands thoroughly prior to leaving your home and wash your hands again upon entering the facility. If you are feeling ill, please stay home until you are feeling well.
Update: September 27 at 9:30am
The outbreak continues. There are currently three residents with signs and symptoms of the illness. The specific illness type remains unknown. Visitation restrictions continue to be in place. See original post below for complete details.
Original post: September 25 at 4:30pm
Under the guidance of Medical Health Officer Dr. David Torr, an outbreak has been declared at the Wolf Willow Health Centre in Eastend due to the presence of enteric illness signs and symptoms amongst the facilities residents.
Gastroenteritis (enteric illness) means inflammation of the stomach and both small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that result in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the “stomach flu”, although the influenza viruses do not cause gastroenteritis.
Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses and enteroviruses.
Read more about Viral Gastroenteritis.
Due to this declaration, please consider the following:
- Until further notice, visitation to the facility will be restricted. The only exceptions to these restrictions will be in the event of an ‘end of life’ situation, where the nurse in charge at the facility can be contacted to discuss the options that are available for family members to visit their loved one.
- This outbreak has been declared due to the presence of an unconfirmed enteric illness. Samples will be collected and sent to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina for analysis and confirmation of the illness type.
- Presently, there are four long term care residents within the facility who have been identified as meeting the signs and symptoms of this illness.
- Enhanced cleaning and infection control protocols have been implemented within the facility in an attempt to remove the illness.
Public Health and Infection Control Team members are actively involved and are providing guidance into the ongoing steps being taken to eradicate the illness. The health region is strongly emphasizing that everyone do what they can to prevent the spread of illness/sickness to others. Frequent and proper handwashing, staying home when ill, and enhanced cleaning of hard surfaces within your homes/businesses should always be the normal practice.