What is the Lurgy
It is a form of viral gastroenteritis called SRSV (Small Round Structured
Virus) and also known by a number of other names: Winter Vomiting Disease,
Norwalk Virus, Norwalk-like Virus (NLV), Gastric Flu and The Lurgy.
What are the symptoms
Violent sickness and/or Diarrhoea are the recognisable
symptoms of an outbreak. The duration of the illness is short, symptoms
normally last for between 12 and 48 hours. 24 hours is the most usual.
Projectile vomiting is the most common symptom.
What causes the outbreak
It is likely to have been brought to the establishment by a single person,
who was either ill upon arrival or picked up while out on tour.
How is it spread
Viruses are generally airborne and this one has an incubation period
of 24 to 48 hours. It is highly contagious and is primarily passed
on by people breathing air that has become contaminated by those
that are ill being sick. It can also be spread by poor personal
hygiene (i.e. not washing hands after using the toilet) causing
door handles to become contaminated or from environmental contamination
such as poorly cleaned public toilets.
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