Hospital urges community to help limit Norovirus outbreak

A ward at Yeovil District Hospital has been temporarily closed as both patients and staff are suffering from Norovirus.

To avoid further spread of the “winter vomiting” virus visitors are being asked to keep away from the Emergency Admissions Unit. If a visit is essential visitors are urged to follow infection control procedures and follow the hospital’s guidance on cleaning hands.

Visitors who themselves have suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting are asked not to come to the hospital to avoid spreading the virus which is prevalent in the local community. The hospital is continually reviewing the situation and will reopen the ward as soon as is possible.

Norovirus affects between 600,000 to one million people in the UK every year. It can be a nasty experience for those affected but it is normally a short-lived infection which people will usually recover from within 12 to 60 hours. There are things that the community can do to help contain it:

• Stay away from work or school until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours and do not visit friends or relatives in hospital or a residential care home as there is a real risk that you would introduce the infection to the establishment where there are vulnerable people.
• Do not visit your A and E unit or GP surgery if you think you have Norovirus. You will recover naturally without treatment but it is important to drink plenty to replace lost fluids. If your symptoms persist phone NHS Direct for advice.
• Do not handle or prepare food for other people until you have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.
• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly after toilet visits and before eating.

Director of Nursing and Clinical Governance, Sue Jones said: “In the vast majority of cases there is no benefit to someone with Norovirus being in hospital. People with the condition should stay at home, ensure that their personal hygiene is good, particularly hand washing, and avoid contact with others where possible. However, the elderly and very young can sometimes get more severe infection or become dehydrated. If that should be the case, they or their family, friends or carers, should telephone their GP service or NHS direct for advice on 0845 4647.”