The Whitehorse General Hospital has lifted its visitor restrictions placed in the wake of the norovirus moving through the territory.

'It's been two weeks since the last confirmed case in the hospital,' hospital spokesperson Val Pike told the Star this morning.

The Whitehorse hospital had asked that only healthy, adult visitors come to the building after the gastrointestinal illness began to spread through the Yukon.

There was a total of 77 cases confirmed at the hospital since the illness appeared on Oct. 1.

'It's still out there,' said Pike of the virus. The hospital may again place restrictions on youth visiting if the virus again shows up in patients or staff.

Norovirus, which is a Norwalk agent, is highly contagious.

Its symptoms include nausea with vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Some people also experience headache, chills, fever and muscle pain.

However, the illness usually only lasts about 24 to 48 hours.

There is no vaccine for the virus, which is different from influenza, which is more of a respiratory illness.

Though the visitor restriction lifting at the hospital illustrates the norovirus is now under control in that setting, it doesn't mean Yukoners should let their guard down, said Dr. Bryce Larke, the territory's medical health officer.

'We sure hope people won't say, it's all over; we don't have to wash our hands anymore,'' Larke said.

Proper personal hygiene is the best defence against this particular virus, he said.

Yukoners should also continue to take special care to ensure they are washing their hands properly with warm, soapy water for at least 30 seconds.

The virus can be spread through the air when in proximity to infected vomiting or by consuming food or water that has come into contact with it.

Door handles and telephones can also be sources if they've recently been touched by someone with a norovirus infection.

The illness is present globally and can be contracted all year-round, said Larke. Formerly known as the winter vomiting disease, it's not uncommon for it to appear at this time of year, he added.

'People, Yukoners, come and go. Visitors come and go. We can continue to expect to see it,' said Larke.

The illness may be miserable and uncomfortable for those afflicted with it, but it's just a community nuisance and a fact of winter life, he said.

Larke advised those finding themselves infected with the norovirus should simply stay close to a washroom and drink plenty of clear fluids.