Gastro-bug closes hospital ward

August 10, 2007

Gastro-bug closes hospital ward

Tauranga Hospital has closed Ward 5 for admissions and child visitors after patients and staff were struck by gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) yesterday.

Infection control coordinator Adrienne Stewart says the suspected cause is the highly contagious Novovirus and she is asking members of the public who have signs of tummy bugs not to visit patients in the hospital..

“People in hospital tend to have lowered resistance and the impact of even small infections can seriously impede their recovery,” she says.

“While the illness lasts about two days, the incubation period is 1-4 days and the infected person remains infectious for around two days after the illness has passed.”

Ward 5 is closed to child visitors and all transfers from the ward have been halted until it is infection-free.

“Isolation procedures and precautions are in place for patients showing symptoms of the infection and staff on the ward will not be assigned to other wards during their shifts, to prevent transmission of the infection.”

Anyone suffering the gastroenteritis virus should not return to work or school until they are without symptoms for 48 hours, to help prevent passing the bug to others,” says Ms Stewart.

A key factor in preventing the spread of gastroenteritis is strict handwashing after using the toilet, and before preparing or serving food.

“We are urging people who may have gastroenteritis to avoid visiting friends and family in hospital, while symptoms persist,” says Ms Stewart.

Visitors to Ward 5 are being asked to check in with staff before they come into contact with patients.

“We are working to contain the outbreak and we are asking for the community’s help with keeping these bugs out of our hospital and away from patients,” she says.

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