East campus of Los Robles reopens after outbreak of stomach virus
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

A highly contagious stomach virus closed the Westlake Village campus of Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center for about 48 hours beginning Wed., Jan. 2.

Until the following Friday at 10 a.m., the hospital closed the entire campus to keep what was thought to be norovirus from spreading. The main hospital was not affected, officials said.

According to hospital spokesperson Kris CarrawayBowman, the hospital was being cautious following the isolation and treatment of eight transitional care unit patients on Dec. 27 after they all had symptoms of norovirus--severe vomiting and diarrhea.

The transitional care unit serves patients not sick enough to stay in the main hospital but not well enough to go home, Carraway-Bowman explained.

The East Campus in Westlake Village also has an acute rehab unit and a senior behavioral hospital. On New Year's Day, five patients in those units began to show the same symptoms found earlier in the week in the transitional care unit.

"Nothing can be done for the patients except to let the virus run its course," CarrawayBowman said.

To do their best to make sure other patients didn't get ill, they closed the campus, she said.

Patients remain sick for about 24 hours, she said. Symptoms subside within 48 hours. The hospital decided the best thing to do was to isolate the patients and to not let any visitors come in.

"We had anyone going into a room where someone had the virus put on gowns, gloves and masks," Carraway-Bowman said.

When they left that room, they would remove the protective gear and regown before entering another affected patient's room.

Meanwhile, housekeeping was disinfecting the entire building with bleach, she said.

No new outbreaks had occurred by Friday morning and the campus reopened. As of Monday morning there were no further outbreaks.

It will take about four weeks to grow cultures and determine with certainty that norovirus was responsible. Illness outbreaks on cruise ships are commonly attributed to norovirus.

With more than 20 outbreaks last year, the virus isn't uncommon in senior extended care facilities in Ventura County, according to county public health officer Dr. Robert Levin.

"Good soap and water hand washing, especially after visiting the restroom, can help prevent the spreading of illnesses. Sing the 'Happy Birthday' song twice while washing your hands," Levin said.