Suspected Norovirus Cluster at Changhua Daycare Center; 13 Elderly Individuals Unwell, Health Bureau Monitors and Disinfects

(Central News Agency, Changhua, 18th, by reporter Wu Che-hao) During the regular session of the Changhua County Council, a Green camp councilor inquired about a suspected norovirus cluster infection at an elderly daycare center. Changhua Health Bureau Director Yeh Yen-po stated that a total of 13 elderly individuals at the center were unwell due to a suspected norovirus infection, and the daycare center has been disinfected. The 7th regular session of the 20th Changhua County Council opened today to deliberate on 50 proposals from the county government. Following the opening ceremony in the morning, the agenda proceeded to reports on proposals, where DPP councilor Li Chun-yu asked if the Changhua County Health Bureau had received reports of a suspected norovirus cluster infection at an elderly day care center in Changhua County. Li pointed out that at the daycare center where the cluster occurred, 7 elderly individuals began showing symptoms like gastrointestinal discomfort, fever, and weakness in their legs on May 13th, and another 6 showed the same symptoms the next day. He asked if the Health Bureau had been notified and what response measures were taken. Yeh Yen-po said that the Health Bureau received a report from a hospital about a suspected norovirus cluster at a daycare center, and immediately dispatched staff to the site, requiring symptomatic elderly to go home immediately and disinfecting the daycare center. In an interview with the Central News Agency, Yeh explained that this daycare center, located in southern Changhua, accommodates about 30 elderly people. Norovirus has major outbreaks every one or two years, previously occurring mostly in residential long-term care facilities, but this time it happened in a daycare center. Yeh explained that 13 elderly individuals successively felt unwell. In addition to asking the other seniors to go home, the center was closed over the weekend, allowing for its disinfection. Yeh noted that a characteristic of norovirus is that outbreaks come and go quickly. The Health Bureau has collected samples and sent them to the central authorities for confirmation. However, because the elderly are more fragile, diarrhea and vomiting can lead to greater loss of fluids and electrolytes. Currently, 2 to 3 people with more severe symptoms have sought medical attention, but one has already been discharged. Yeh said that besides disinfecting the daycare center over the weekend, they also required the operator to perform another major cleaning. As of today, no new cases have been reported. However, to be cautious, the daycare center will not reopen until Thursday at the earliest. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150518