Possible norovirus outbreak at Whangarei Hospital

A ward at Whangarei Hospital has been closed to new admissions due to an outbreak of an infectious vomiting and diarrhoea bug. Ward 16, a general medical ward, will not take any further patients until the disease has been contained.

Seven patients have been affected by the condition, which has not been confirmed but is suspected to be norovirus (viral gastroenteritis). The disease has been prevalent in the Northland community throughout the winter and spring months.

Affected patients have been isolated to limit the spread of the disease, and extra measures have been put in place to control the outbreak. Visitors to Ward 16 will be limited and will be asked to undertake strict hygiene measures. 

People in the community who are experiencing any symptoms of nausea or diarrhoea are asked not to visit friends or family in hospital, until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

Loek Henneveld, Medical Officer of Health, said: “We do not yet have confirmation, but we are working on the assumption that this is a norovirus outbreak, and taking appropriate measures to prevent it spreading. 

“We know that norovirus is circulating in the community. For most people the disease lasts a day or two and healthy adults normally do not become severely ill, although elderly people and those with pre-existing health conditions are more likely to suffer complications.”

People in the community with sickness and diarrhoea should drink plenty of fluids, and see their doctor if they have severe symptoms or do not improve within 48 hours. Thorough hand washing is essential to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus found only in humans. The most usual ways of catching it are contact with infected people, eating contaminated food (especially shellfish) or drinking untreated water.

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