Norovirus Confirmed In Sportsplex Sickness Scare
TAYLOR (WWJ) - Wayne County Public Health officials have confirmed that norovirus was responsible for sickening as many as 100 players and other attendees at a youth state hockey tournament in Taylor last weekend.
Dr. Mouhanad Hammami, acting health officer of the Wayne County Department of Public Health, said one of the most common strains of norovirus was found in clinical samples from those who took ill at the Taylor Sportsplex.
Subsequent facility air and water test results ruled out possible building issues.
The Health Department's Carol Austerberry said norovirus is highly contagious. She said there are ways of working to prevent things like this from happening in the future.
"You have ... reminders of good personal hygiene, reminders that if you're sick, vomiting, diarrhea - don't go to work. Don't go to school. Don't play in sporting events," Austerberry said.
Austerberry said the Taylor Sportsplex has been thoroughly disinfected. The facility reopened Thursday.
Meantime, the hockey team that lost a state title game due to the incident lost its appeal to replay the game. Victory Honda's 5 to 4 overtime loss to Little Caesars in the U-18 Midget Major finals was overshadowed by the sickness scare. Little Caesars will head to suburban Buffalo next month to play in the USA Hockey national championship.
