MANTECA — Prompted by a multiple-case outbreak of gastrointestinal problems, San Joaquin County health officials have issued a warning to several assisted-living facilities across the region.
One of the affected sites is Manteca’s Merrill Gardens, a senior community on Union Road. Twenty-one residents began suffering from vomiting, diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms late last week before county health officials stepped in Saturday.
County health officials have not quarantined any of the buildings in question, said Dr. Karen Furst, the county’s public health officer. Instead, the county has been walkingthe facilities through implementing state guidelines to remedy the problem.
Furst said once a facility suspected they had a problem, they let the county know as quickly as possible.
At Merrill Gardens, yellow caution tape was draped across all doors entering the two-story building, along with signs that warned that some of the 113 residents were experiencing “multiple episodes of GI (gastrointestinal) symptoms.”
An internal lockdown of the complex also was evident, as dining services were closed for the past few days. Workers have been bringing containers of soup, hot drinks and other dishes to each individual room. Games of bingo, cards and other group activities have been put on hold as well.
“We’re working closely with the county health department and taking every precaution,” Merrill Gardens spokeswoman Loree Wagner said from the Seattle-based company’s corporate office.
Furst declined to reveal the six other assisted-living facilities that had been given similar warnings, citing the agency’s policy not to release issues about isolated communicable diseases.
“Unless it’s a public health issue, there is no reason to make a general announcement,” Furst said. “But we are taking steps to curtail the problem at all locations, and to keep those who visit from getting sick.”
Furst said public health officials discourage visitation because it might expose people to the viral infection. Only family members were allowed to visit at Merrill Gardens, employees said.
The virus can be spread by personal contact, touching a contaminated surface then making contact with the mouth with dirty hands or contaminated food or water, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Merrill Gardens resident Diane Edwards was able to leave the complex for a short time with her husband to pick up a prescription on Thursday.
“We miss that we can’t socialize with everyone, but we understand it’s just for a while,” she said.
Edwards said that she knew of one couple who had contracted the virus, but other than that it was hard to tell.
“It’s not really information people just come out and share,” she said. “It’s something we really don’t want to know.”
Recently, a similar outbreak of norovirus sickened hundreds of inmates and staff at San Quentin State Prison. The virus resulted in no deaths or serious complications and most inmates recovered in three days. In all, 859 inmates and 49 staffers fell ill during the outbreak, while the prison was quarantined for three weeks.
There were several other norovirus outbreaks across the state this season at other prison facilities, hospital and nursing homes, including 80 residents at an independent care facility in Belmont.
“This is not something that is specific to just this county,” Furst said, adding that the seven facilities in question are spread throughout San Joaquin County.
The incubation for norovirus is usually between 24 and 48 hours, according to the CDC. Wagner said protocol dictates restrictions at the care facility can be lifted 72 hours after the last reported case, or early next week.
“Everything should be back to normal by the beginning of next week,” she said.
Staff writer Paul Burgarino can be reached at (209) 832-6143 or pburgarino@trivalleyherald.com.
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