Plano Retirement Center Suffers Norovirus Outbreak

Several residents of The Waterford at Plano have been diagnosed with norovirus.

The retirement home is working with the city and county health departments to handle the outbreak.  About 40 people, including staff, residents and visitors, are believed to have contracted the virus.

The virus is the same illness sometimes found on cruise ships where people live in very close quarters. Symptoms of norovirus include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said norovirus is very contagious and can be spread from an infected person, contaminated food or water or by touching contaminated surfaces.  The virus can be serious in older adults and young children.

The CDC said there are about 21 million known cases of norovirus each year in the United States resulting in about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths.

The best way to prevent norovirus is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness, the CDC reported.

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