Las Vegas outbreak blamed on norovirus

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

Health officials in Nevada suspect that a norovirus caused a flulike illness last week for about 60 people who got sick at the Flamingo, a hotel-casino on the Las Vegas strip.

Clark County Health Department spokesman Dave Tonelli said hotel officials on Wednesday reported an unusual cluster of dozens of people complaining of stomach-flulike symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches.

The outbreak prompted interest from the Islands because of the resort town's unofficial status as Hawai'i's favorite vacation destination. Another norovirus associated with the California Hotel in downtown Las Vegas sickened nearly 1,700 people — most of them from Hawai'i — from last December to June. Noroviruses cause gastrointestinal illnesses and usually run their course without medication or treatment.

At least one Hawai'i couple indicated that they became ill last week, but Tonelli said he does not know the breakdown of how many visitors were from each state or how many employees became ill.

Tonelli said initial tests ruled out a bacterial cause for the illness. "Everything is pointing to a norovirus, although we don't have any laboratory confirmation," he said.

He said the hotel, which is owned by Caesars Entertainment, reported the illnesses and worked quickly to clean up and increase sanitation. Spokesman Michael Coldwell said 200 rooms were closed through the weekend so they could be thoroughly cleaned.

Tonelli said the hotel-casino has intensified cleaning, switched to disposable cups at the bar and disposable ice buckets in the guest rooms after learning that people tend to grab ice buckets when they become ill.

He said health officials are still seeking any connection among those who became ill. "Did they eat in the same place? What do they all have in common?"

Tonelli said there were no reports of hospitalization associated with this outbreak.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.