As authorities from the Illinois Department of Health investigate this norovirus outbreak, six patients have already been hospitalized for this illness.
Norovirus is an illnesses that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Some cases are also associated with low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness.
The spread of norovirus can usually be stopped with good sanitation practices such as hand washing and disinfecting surfaces.
The elderly and young are particularly susceptible to complications related to norovirus and can easily become dehydrated when the symptoms are not identified and timely treated.
For more information about Illinois nursing homes look here.
For laws related to Illinois nursing homes, look here.
Related:
CDC: Norovirus Q & A
Food Safety
Elderly Nursing Home Patients Are Particularly Susceptible To Illness Related To Contaminated Food