A recent gastroenteritis outbreak in the north and central zones is finally over, however preventative measures are still recommended for residents who are returning to Fort McMurray after being evacuated because of the wildfire. Alberta Health Services senior communications advisor Kirsten Goruk reported that “The outbreak in Edmonton is now over. ” According to Calgary Medical Health Officer Jason Cabaj the virus responsible is extremely common and it can spread quickly when people are housed together. The Fort McMurray evacuation caused many residents to flee to Edmonton, and there were 222 cases of gastroenteritis once evacuees started arriving in the city. The virus that causes the illness can be spread in a number of ways, including drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food, having direct contact with someone who is contagious, and even touching surfaces that have been infected.

While the gastroenteritis outbreak has been declared over this does not mean that Fort McMurray residents who are returning home can forego preventative measures though. Cabaj explained “Over the last week we saw three new cases at two sites (Mount Royal and the University of Calgary). It’s just a ‘wait it out kind of thing. There really are no anti-viral medications, but mostly cases self-resolve quite nicely. When people are spread back out again and into the community there’s always going to be some risk of transmission, but it’s helpful to not have people packed in together. We’re seeing fewer and fewer cases and we’re hoping it will diminish when people go back to Fort McMurray.”