Ward 15 reopens after norovirus outbreak

A ward at Whangarei Hospital which was closed to new patients during an outbreak of the highly infectious norovirus disease has now reopened.



Ward 15 (Rehabilitation Ward) was closed for approximately two weeks, to prevent the spread of the disease, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It has now been thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated, and is accepting new patients.

Carol Cooper, Clinical Nurse Manager of Ward 15, thanked the patients and their families for their cooperation during the outbreak, when restrictions had to be placed on visitors and stringent infection control measures were introduced.

 

Norovirus is still circulating in the Northland community, and members of the public are still advised to take measures to avoid the disease spreading. Thorough hand washing, especially before preparing food and after using the toilet, is the best defence against catching norovirus and other contagious diseases.

 

Norovirus is found only in humans, and is usually caught through contact with infected people, eating contaminated food (especially shellfish) or drinking untreated water.

 

People who have experienced symptoms of norovirus should not visit hospital patients until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours.

 

 

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For further information, please contact:

Clare Blackburn, Communications Manager

Northland District Health Board 

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3315