Vomiting and diarrhoea bug hits Whangarei Hospital

An outbreak of a vomiting and diarrhoea bug at Whangarei Hospital has led to the closure of a ward until the infectious disease has been contained.

The outbreak, which has not been confirmed but is suspected to be norovirus (viral gastroenteritis), is also sweeping through parts of Northland. Tests are being carried out on affected patients to identify the organism, but results will not be available until next week.
So far 11 patients and nine hospital staff members have been affected. Ward 15 has been closed to new patients. Affected patients have been placed in isolation to limit the spread of the disease, and cleaning regimes have been stepped up in some areas of the hospital.

Jonathan Jarman, Northland's Medical Officer of Health, said that for most people the disease usually lasts a couple of days. Healthy adults normally do not become severely ill, but elderly people and those with pre-existing health conditions are more likely to suffer complications.

He advised that people in the community who have sickness and diarrhoea should drink plenty of fluids, and see their doctor if they have severe symptoms or do not improve within 48 hours.

He said: "Thorough hand washing is the best and easiest way to prevent catching this disease or stop passing it on to other people."

People suffering from sickness and diarrhoea are asked not to visit family or friends in hospital until they have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

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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For further information,
please contact:
Clare Blackburn
Communications Manager Northland District Health Board
Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3315