AP: Texas

09/09/2005

By JIM VERTUNO  / Associated Press

Doctors at the refugee complex housing thousands of Katrina refugees said Friday they have contained a viral outbreak that caused diarrhea and vomiting among hundreds of those seeking shelter.

About 700 people have been treated, with 40 still in isolation to contain the virus, said Dr. Hermenia Palacio, director of the Harris County Public Health and Emergency Services.

While the norovirus was relatively mild, doctors took extra precautions to keep it from running rampant. The approximately 3,000 refugees remaining in the dome are using public restrooms and showers and cots are lined up in close rows.

Also Friday, Mexican troops began their historic relief mission in San Antonio by feeding hundreds of hurricane survivors, and Dallas Mayor Laura Miller said her city will help raise funds to move refugees from the city's biggest shelters by Sept. 18.

In Houston, the sick were quarantined until they had gone 48 hours without symptoms.

Tom Skinner, spokesman for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, said officials have reported similar outbreaks at shelters around the county but said norovirus does not appear to be a widespread problem.

"We're getting reports of clusters of cases of diarrheal illness," he said. "In these shelters, it's important for the medical professionals to pay close attention to hygiene."

Palacio said the outbreak at the Astrodome and Reliant Center peaked Sept. 5. "We've been seeing fewer and fewer cases," she said.

She compared the situation to a viral outbreak at a children's day care center, where a cluster of people come in close contact daily.

Palacio said a viral outbreak poses the most serious threat to the oldest and youngest in the refugee population. The elderly and children may not have strong immune systems and are most vulnerable to dehydration, she said.

Many of the Astrodome's residents spent the bulk of last week in New Orleans' rancid Superdome without working toilets, electricity or air conditioning, and little food and water.

She said the refugees here have made at least 7,000 clinic visits and that doctors took some simple precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus.

"There's been more washing of hands than I've ever seen," she said.

In San Antonio, Mexican soldiers armed with seasoned rice and beans fed lunch to about 3,000 refugees. Nearly 200 troops arrived Thursday and set up a self-sustaining camp on the grounds of KellyUSA, a former Air Force base housing most of the city's estimated 5,500 hurricane victims.

"They are sweet people to do this," said Rosa Aleman, a 73-year-old New Orleans who is originally from El Salvador. "I feel like we are one family."

Mexican soldiers spoke little of the historic significance of their visit. The last time they were in Texas was 1846, when Mexico did not recognize the Rio Grande as its northern border.

"Most of the people don't speak our language, but we share the same feeling," said Sgt. Javier Navarro, as he spooned beans onto plates. "This is a great hour."

Alvin J. Denney, a 39-year-old displaced New Orleans resident, said the troops have helped keep his faith in humanity alive.

"It's truly amazing to see people come together," he said, "and see a common concern we all share as human beings."

The troops are sleeping on cots in large tents and have two mobile kitchens able to feed 21,000 people a day, as well as medical supplies, physicians and nurses. They plan to stay in San Antonio at least 20 days but are ready to stay longer if needed, said Maj. Cesar Nino Avila.

In Dallas, Miller was joined by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin in announcing that the city, and religious and business leaders, had banded together to establish a relief fund. The goal is to raise $3 million to find housing for the 1,500 refugees still living in Reunion Arena and the Dallas Convention Center.

Miller said $250,000 had been donated Friday and officials planned to transport the survivors to about 800 apartments in a massive relocation on Sept. 18.

The fund will finance evacuees' rent for 60 days, and volunteer host families or organizations will be asked to furnish the apartments, she said. After the initial two months, officials will ask the federal government to financially support the survivors, Miller said.

Nagin expressed deep gratitude for Dallas' efforts to accomodate displaced New Orleans residents. He said the planned relocation would bring a celebration reminiscent of Mardi Gras to Dallas.

"We're going to dance out of that arena so everyone can go to their new homes with their furniture and the Texas love," Nagin said.

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Associated Press writers Abe Levy in San Antonio and Sheila Flynn in Dallas contributed to this report.