The highly contagious stomach virus that shut down a hotel near Dulles Airport last weekend cropped up in an Annapolis assisted living facility, which quarantined 15 elderly residents.

“There is no story here. I recommend you don’t come in. I don’t want you to get sick with what they have,” Elona Myers, director of the Sunrise Senior Living facility in Annapolis, told The Examiner.

Sunrise quarantined 15 patients with gastroenteritis — an inflammation of the intestines and stomach, said Megan Lublin, spokeswoman for Sunrise Senior Living. “Quarantined patients are suffering from gastroenteritis and stomach-flu,” she said.

Gastroenteritis is caused by norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The highly contagious norovirus is the same infection that caused the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport hotel to close for a floor-to-ceiling disinfection after 120 people were infected.

This story continues below
Advertisement

Norovirus, commonly known as stomach flu, lasts 24 to 48 hours and causes nausea, abdominal cramps, mild fever, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC. Norovirus is typically found in the fecal matter and vomit of infected victims, but the virus can be spread many ways, including food contamination or close contact with an infected individual.

The major concern with norovirus is its heightened resilience to sanitizing methods, said Dr. Jinlene Chan, epidemiologist with the Anne Arundel Health Department.

“Stool samples have been taken from [patients at Sunrise Senior Living] and sent to the State Health Department for testing,” said Elin Jones, spokeswoman for the Anne Arundel Health Department. “Patients who are quarantined with norovirus may have to stay in isolation for as much as two weeks.”

A notice posted on the front door of the Sunrise Senior Living facility at 800 Bestgate Road Annapolis Thursday read, “We are currently experiencing a Gastroenteritis outbreak. Please practice universal precautions by washing your hands before your visit and after your visit with residents.”

In Santa Rosa, Calif., Dec. 28, another Sunrise Senior Living facility was identified as having quarantined 60 patients with norovirus, according to NBC News.

gsmith@baltimoreexaminer.com