THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay District Health Unit and St. Joseph's Care Group have declared an outbreak of C Difficlle at St. Joseph's Hospital.
The outbreak is restricted to the Hospice/Palliative Care Unit (4 North).
A statement from TBDHU did not provide details about the extent of the outbreak.
However, a hospital spokesperson told TBNewswatch the threshold for declaring an outbreak is three cases.
The health unit said that in collaboration with St. Joseph's Care Group, it has begun a thorough assessment of the situation.
Enhanced infection prevention and control procedures have been implemented, and further measures will be taken as needed to manage the situation.
Admissions, discharges and transfers to 4 North are temporarily on hold.
Visiting is still allowed, but all visitors must check in at the nursing station.
C. Difficile bacteria can cause an infection of the large intestine.
Symptoms may range from diarrhea to life-threatening damage to the colon.
The illness more commonly develops in older adults in hospitals or long-term care facilities.
