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Norovirus in Waikato Hospital medical wardA norovirus outbreak in a general medical ward at Waikato Hospital has infection control staff urging the public to stay away from the hospital if they are sick and for GPs and rest homes to treat patients at home. Infection Control clinical nurse manager Vicki Parry today said 12 of the 16 patients in Ward 5 had symptoms of norovirus as did one employee. “High occupancy rates and ward closure is making it difficult for us to isolate and manage these patients,” she said. Norovirus is a highly infectious virus transmitted by hand to mouth spread. The incubation period is 24-48 hours following contact. Symptoms include:
“There are currently a high number of people with gastroenteritis/norovirus in the Waikato community, rest homes and within Waikato Hospital,” said Ms Parry. “We urge you to attempt to manage your patients within your facilities or at home and not to send them to hospital unless it is absolutely necessary,” she said in a memo today to rest homes and GPs. “Please advise patients and caregivers to encourage hydration by drinking small amounts of clear, lightly sweetened fluids every hour, avoiding tea, coffee and alcohol.” Personal hygiene, including regular hand washing, is essential, she said. Facts about norovirus Date: 11 June 2009 Contact: Mary Anne Gill Director Media and Communications Waikato District Health Board Ph: 07 834 3684 Fax: 07 839 8680 Mobile: 021 705 213 |