Norovirus suspected in deaths of nine residents at Victoria seniors’ home ‘on the wane,’ health official says

A norovirus outbreak that sickened about 150 people at a Victoria seniors' home and is a suspected factor in the deaths of nine residents seems to be tailing off, the Globe and Mail reports.

"It’s on the wane," Sarah Plank, a spokesperson for the Vancouver Island Health Authority, told the Globe.

"It seems to have been brought under control. There’s very few new cases that are showing up. We have only 11 residents currently affected. It seems to have been brought under control."

[ Related: Norovirus outbreak hits Vancouver General Hospital ]

It was estimated 100 patients and 50 staff members at Selkirk Place were infected by the highly contagious norovirus, which afflicts the digestive tract and causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and sometimes fever for up to 48 hours.

Healthy people generally recover quickly but the disease, initially dubbed Norwalk after first being identified in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1972, can be fatal to the elderly, the very young and those with weakened immune systems.

The Selkirk Place outbreak began on July 11. Plank said the deaths at the residence can't be attributed to the virus without further analysis. The suddenness of the outbreak – 40 people developed symptoms at the same time — suggests a common source, Plank said.

The residents reacted by restricting visitors and cancelling group activities.

The Vancouver General and suburban Royal Columbian hospitals had to deal with norovirus outbreak last January, forcing officials to discourage visitors and to undertake major sanitation efforts.

[ Related: Norovirus strikes 31-day cruise to Vancouver ]

And last May, norovirus surfaced on a Holland America cruise ship during a 31-day excursion. The MS Volendam had 28 ill passengers and one crew member when it docked in Vancouver en route to Alaska.

Passengers told CBC News at the time that the crew made efforts to contain the spread of the illness by draining swimming pools and hot tubs, among other things.

"They're right behind you with a soapy rag, cleaning up the table," said passenger Jim Ball.

There are no drugs to treat norovirus, so it has to run its course. Health experts say the best way to combat the virus is with frequent hand-washing.