(The following Canadian Press article was published in the January 7 issue of the Edmonton Journal.)
EDMONTON — A VIA Rail passenger train en route to Toronto was stalled in Winnipeg for hours Tuesday when workers refused to board, fearing they may have been exposed to the highly contagious Norwalk virus.
The train, carrying 143 passengers from Vancouver, made a stop in the city about 1 p.m. and two people got off complaining of symptoms.
VIA employees, represented by the Canadian Auto Workers union, refused to get back on the locomotive until the train could be tested for the virus.
First detected in Norwalk, Ohio, about 40 years ago, the Norwalk virus is a contagious intestinal illness that causes nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea.
The virus can be transmitted through a handshake or other physical contact, on surfaces or through contaminated food or water.
After officials checked the sick passengers, the train was given a clean bill of health. It pulled out of the station about 6 p.m. local time.