Outbreak Declared at Prairie Pioneers Lodge

An outbreak of an enteric illness has been declared by the Cypress Health Region at the Prairie Pioneers Lodge in Swift Current.

The illness was identified among four of the residents with the possibility of several staff members.

Dr. David Torr From the Cypress Health Region says that by enteric they mean a gastrointestinal illness.

"It's either a food poisoning of sorts or it is something like norovirus that is circulating," said Torr

At this time visitation to the facility has been restricted to until further notice to minimize the risk of additional viruses from the community coming into contact with the facility and from the facility to the community. The Health Region's Infection Control Team is currently involved in enhanced cleaning and infection control at the lodge.

An alert status has also been implemented at the nearby Palliser Regional Care Centre due to the identification of the illness.

Samples of the illness are being forwarded to the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory in Regina for confirmation.

In the meantime, health officials are reminding us to practice enhanced infection control by washing hands properly and frequently, staying home when you're feeling ill, coughing and sneezing into the crook of your arm, and frequently cleaning highly used areas.