Surprising gastrointestinal mass infection in a well-attended hotel in the Harz

Severe gastrointestinal infections in fully occupied Harz hotel

Numerous guests of a hotel in the Harz region suffered from severe gastrointestinal infections and several people had to be taken to surrounding hospitals. In the fully occupied hotel there is virtually a state of emergency since Thursday. The cause is probably noroviruses, but a final confirmation is still pending.

"At the Maritim Hotel in Braunlage, it came this morning to trigger a so-called mass casualty attack (MANV). The reason was gastrointestinal complaints of several guests ", so the announcement of the district of Goslar on Thursday. Which pathogen is behind the complaint is currently under review and the results of the laboratory tests are expected to be available on Monday. Already, however, Noroviruses are suspected as a trigger. The county health department is also on hand to help contain the infections.

Noroviruses are thought to be the cause of massive gastrointestinal disease in a hotel in the Harz Mountains. (Image: VadimGuzhva / fotolia.com)

Rescue service for those affected

According to the chief emergency medical officer, on Thursday the number of those affected was "30 people cared for rescue during the morning," according to the district announcement. Three hotel guests were taken to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Already on Thursday, however, stressed the medical director of the rescue service, Dr. med. Tobias Steffen, it could "not be ruled out that further tourists will suffer from similar symptoms in the coming days."

Infection numbers continue to increase

On Friday, the number of sick hotel guests has risen to 60, reported NDR 1, citing a spokesman for the district of Goslar. This already affects about 15 percent of the approximately 400 guests. According to the NDR, the number of people hospitalized has increased to eight. The health department is now tasked with investigating the cause and spread of the infection, according to the Goslar district council. Here it is also within the competence of the health department to discuss and initiate appropriate measures with the hotel management, which prevent a further spread of the virus infection.

Comprehensive countermeasures initiated

Even now, several measures have been taken in the hotel to counteract the spread of the pathogens. Thus, according to the hotel director opposite the NDR the buffet-operation was stopped, disinfectants were provided and the food is currently served with gloves and mouthguards. All guests are informed and the hotel operation should be continued. The extent to which the measures will succeed will only become clear in the coming days. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the incubation period for norovirus infections is around 48 hours and the virus is excreted through the faeces for up to 14 days after an acute illness. Therefore, even after the acute phase, careful sanitary and hand hygiene is required.

Season of Noroviruses

Currently, the Norovirus infections are seasonal on the rise throughout Lower Saxony. According to the State Health Office, 351 new infections were reported in the 51st calendar week, and the total number of infections in the calendar weeks 48th to 51th, with 1136 cases, clearly exceeds the expected number of cases (927). In the district of Goslar, 28 cases were reported in the 51st calendar week, but with confirmation of the suspicion of Noroviruses in the hotel this number would suddenly more than triple in the 52nd calendar week.

Signs of norovirus infection

According to the RKI, typical signs of norovirus infection are "incipient gastroenteritis, characterized by gushing vomit and severe diarrhea." In some cases, the symptoms may be limited to vomiting without diarrhea or diarrhea without vomiting. As a rule, there is a pronounced malady with abdominal pain, nausea, headache, myalgia and fatigue. Another problem is the massive fluid loss, which can be life-threatening in the worst case. (Fp)