Talk about a double whammy—not only is Saanich Peninsula Hospital dealing with a norovirus outbreak, but apparently there was also a cockroach problem.
Island Health has since confirmed they were dealing with a cockroach problem at the facility, which initially came about on April 18th. However, there have been no sightings of the creatures since April 22nd after a pest control plan was implemented.
“Island Health immediately contacted a pest control contractor to investigate and set traps,” said Island Health in an email statement to Victoria Buzz.
“The pest control contractor continues to visit the site twice a week to monitor traps and advise.”
After BC media outlets covered the story, several major US outlets, including People magazine, picked up the story—who have millions of followers on social media.
The critters were determined to be German cockroaches, a particularly resilient and adaptable species known for its ability to thrive in various environments.
They typically do not bite humans; instead, they are more of a nuisance as they scavenge for food and can contaminate surfaces with bacteria and allergens. German cockroaches are known to carry pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli, which can lead to foodborne illnesses if they contaminate food.
According to Orkin Canada, in heavily infested buildings, German cockroaches may resort to eating glue and packaging materials, biting humans, and even turning cannibalistic.
This is a very American spin on my story (we do not pay for hospital care in Canada) but the fact it made it to @TheVertlartnic is 🫠 https://t.co/ww4xImArXo
— Penny Daflos (@PennyDaflos) April 30, 2024
Island Health stated that there is no widespread infestation, and the hospital continues to be a safe place to access care.
