Norovirus at Flamingo confirmed

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Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 | 9:32 a.m.

Tests conducted by the Clark County Health District on Tuesday confirmed that more than 200 people who became ill at the Flamingo Las Vegas last week suffered from the highly contagious norovirus.

Norovirus is a group of illnesses that cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

Caesars Entertainment, the company that owns the Flamingo, has deep-cleaned the rooms and is urging employees to wash their hands more frequently. The health district does not know where the virus originated, but it could be in hotel rooms and on slot machines, the spokesman said Tuesday morning.

There is no treatment for the virus, which usually resolves itself within 24 to 48 hours, according to the Health District. It is not related to influenza, according to the Health District.

The cluster of illness was originally reported to the Health District Oct. 20 by staff members at the hotel.

Guests or visitors to the Flamingo wishing to report the illness are urged to call the Clark County Health District Office of Epidemiology at 759-1296.