The Sun Country Health Region (SCHR) has experienced an increase of gastrointestinal illness, better known as stomach flu, during the last couple of weeks.

The region has seen the impact in its emergency rooms, and two norovirus outbreaks have occurred in its health care facilities.

Medical health officer Dr. Shauna Hudson and vice-president of medical Dr. Alain Lenferna want to remind people of the steps they can take to limit the spread of the flu.

The gastrointestinal illness making the rounds can be caused by many different viruses and bacteria. Norovirus is one common cause of the vomiting and diarrhea.

Steps that SCHR residents can take to prevent the stomach flu include: washing hands frequently with soap and warm water, or an alchol-based hand sanitizer, for at least 20 seconds to help remove bacteria and viruses, and to prevent the bacteria from spreading; knowing the symptoms of stomach flu, such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and low grade fever; staying at home when they are sick with the stomach flu; seeking medical advice when they have stomach flu accompanied by other health factors, or when they have an extended bout with stomach flu; exercising caution in the kitchen by keeping kitchen surface areas clean and disinfected, and not preparing food for others when they are sick; and keeping common surfaces areas – such as doorknobs, light switches, telephones and keyboards – clean and disinfected.

If people have the flu, they are asked to not visit friends or family in a health care facility unless it is absolutely necessary. And they are asked to avoid day cares, school or work when they have symptoms.