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Winter vomiting bug
closes hospital ward
AN outbreak of a winter vomiting
bug has closed a Merseyside hospital ward. On total 3 cases of Norovirus
have so far been confirmed on Ward 7b, at Southport and Formby District
General Hospital. The ward has since been closed to new admissions until the
outbreak has ended.
Andrew Chalmers, Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control, said:-
"Norovirus is a highly infectious sickness bug which we know is
circulating in the local community."
Friends and family are being asked to postpone visiting patients in the
affected ward during the outbreak unless absolutely necessary. The ward is
undergoing enhanced cleaning and disinfection.
Andrew added:- "Instances of diarrhoea and vomiting are always
investigated when they occur in hospital. As a precaution we may close bays
within wards while we investigate the cause, which is usually due to a
patient's medical condition rather than infection."
Symptoms of Norovirus include a sudden onset of vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
Some people may have a temperature, headache and stomach cramps.
The illness usually resolves in 1 or 2 days and there are no long term
effects. If you are affected, stay at home, stay hydrated by drinking
adequate fluids, wash your hands after using the toilet and prior to eating,
and clean contaminated surfaces.
In particular, anyone who has experienced sickness or diarrhoea in the past
48 hours should stay away from hospitals and other healthcare providers, as
either a visitor or a patient, except in a genuine medical emergency.
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