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Stomach Bug Strikes Hudson Retirement Community Residents

By Carl Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: February 11, 2009

Updated: 02/11/2009 12:05 pm

HUDSON - Some type of stomach ailment apparently has spread among numerous elder residents at Atria Windsor Woods, a Hudson area retirement community that is discouraging visitors for now.

The worst of the outbreak seems to be past, according to Amy Schuster, director of public relations for the Atria Senior Living Group, based at the corporate office in Louisville, Ky.

The number of people affected is declining each day at this point, Schuster wrote in an e-mail reply to questions from The Suncoast News. She didn't mention an approximate number of stricken residents.

"Our No. 1 priority is the health and well-being of our residents and employees," Schuster wrote in a statement. "We are working closely with the Health Department and are following appropriate measures to contain the symptoms, including suspension of all communal dining and activities, personal meal delivery to all residents in their rooms and discouragement of any outside visitors.

"We are closely monitoring all residents to ensure everyone's needs are met, and are working toward a speedy recovery for everyone."

Late Wednesday morning Schuster said that at the height of the outbreak about 30 of the 170 Windsor Woods residents were affected by the illness. That number is now down to seven, she said.

The Pasco County Health Department received a courtesy call on the from the retirement community, according to Deanna Krautner, the health education and communications coordinator for the public health agency.

Intestinal outbreaks such as this don't have to be reported to health authorities, Krautner explained. Atria officials can choose to share laboratory test results with the Health Department, she added.
So far she hasn't heard of any lab results.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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