Dozens Infected by Norovirus Outbreak at Vancouver Airport Hotels

A pair of hotels at Vancouver International Airport has been forced to close at least partially or completely as a result of a norovirus outbreak this past weekend.

Citing Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Global News reported about 40 staff members and 40 guests from the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel have been affected by the illness, which was first reported Saturday.

Meanwhile, a food handler from the nearby Hilton Vancouver Airport who was assisting at the Sheraton on Friday and two bartending staff members also fell ill, according to VCH.

The Sheraton, which hosted a large conference over the weekend, remains completely shut down as of Wednesday as the property must be fully cleaned, that includes the kitchen, the Starbucks and Harold’s Bistro in addition to the hotel’s rooms and public areas.

The kitchen and restaurant at the Hilton are closed for cleaning as well. However, the hotel remains open and is taking guests, Global News reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes norovirus as a “very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea” that can affect anyone. People can fall ill by having direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water and or putting their unwashed hands in their mouth after touching contaminated surfaces. Symptoms can last up to three days.

In January, 277 guests and crew members fell ill from a norovirus outbreak aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas. However, the CDC recently announced a drop in outbreaks, reporting that only 10 cruise ships reported major outbreaks of gastrointestinal illnesses in 2018.