\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/i41.tinypic.com\/34q371y.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\tBy TOM RAGAN
\n\tLAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
\n\tThe highly contagious norovirus might be to blame for the illness of more than a dozen children and at least a half dozen adults at the Rio on Friday morning.<\/p>\n
\tThe virus is one of the more potent strains of what many people erroneously refer to as the stomach flu. It can be deadly among the elderly and children, particularly if they have weakened immune systems.<\/p>\n
\tWhile the Southern Nevada Health District had not confirmed it was norovirus by Saturday afternoon, health authorities were treating it as such, handing out pamphlets to staff and guests at the off-Strip hotel-casino.<\/p>\n
\tThey also were admonishing those who have fallen sick to be sure and wash their hands, try to avoid public places, and clean up after themselves in areas believed to be infected \u2014 from door knobs to bath tubs to toilets to chairs to tables to anything else they conceivably may have touched while in town for the National Youth Football Championship.<\/p>\n
\tThe ages of the football players ranged from 7 to 12 years old.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWe\u2019re talking about gastrointestinal symptoms,\u201d said health district spokeswoman Jennifer Sizemore. \u201cIt\u2019s what people refer to as the stomach flu, although the reality is that it\u2019s a gastrointestinal virus; and to be on the safe side, that\u2019s exactly how we\u2019re treating it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tSymptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, dizziness when standing up and worse \u2014 dehydration.<\/p>\n
\tThose the virus strikes are urged to drink plenty of water. Antibiotics will not help because norovirus is not bacterial.<\/p>\n
\tClark County firefighters were called to the hotel-casino\u2019s sixth floor just before 10 a.m. Friday. They found shuttle bus drivers who were delivering ill children to hospitals.<\/p>\n
\tFire Department Battalion Chief John Steinbeck said three fire engines, one firetruck and two ambulances responded.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cIt\u2019s not every day that we get a call concerning 21 patients on the sixth floor of a hotel,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd when we do, you can bet we\u2019re going to be prepared for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tFirefighters early on were treating the outbreak as a possible food-borne ailment.<\/p>\n
\tThe football tournament ended on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\tMhoon Land, of Los Angeles, said he\u2019s thankful that his 12-year-old son of the same name got to play for the Santa Monica Vikings as defensive end, and that he didn\u2019t become ill.<\/p>\n
\tLand said at one point, he rushed a telephone charger over to University Medical Center to one of the sick parents.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cAt was the least I could do,\u201d he said as he stood inside the casino late Friday evening, recalling the scene earlier in the day. \u201cI just want to make sure that I don\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\tSizemore said stool samples were taken from several patients, and that health authorities should know more in a week or two.<\/p>\n
\tIn the meantime, the health district will be working with the hotel staff to make sure staff is properly equipped with the right cleaning products, she said.<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThere are special guidelines for cleaning up,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\tThe corporate office of Caesears Entertainment, which operates the Rio, could not be reached for comment Saturday night.<\/p>\n