Thames Hospital has implemented infection control measures following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting cases.

[kiwibird]

Source:http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/thames-hospital-fighting-bug-3329347

(What is interesting about these reports is that there is no mention of suspected "norovirus" anywhere.)

Thames Hospital fighting bug

Published: 3:14PM Wednesday January 13, 2010

Source: NZPA


Thames Hospital fighting bug (Source: NZPA)

Source: NZPA

Thames Hospital has implemented infection control measures following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting cases.

Waikato District Health Board spokesperson Mary Anne Gill says the cases were highly contagious with five patients, two visiting relatives and five staff members falling ill so far.

The hospital's acting manager, Rodger Clark, said patients and staff showing symptoms had been placed in isolation and it appeared the bug had been contained through quick action.

However, people in the Thames and Coromandel community were asked to stay home if they showed symptoms of the bug, while GPs and rest homes were asked to manage patients within the community unless they required urgent attention.

The DHB said anyone affected should take care to avoid dehydration - stay away from coffee, tea and alcohol and prepare a one litre solution containing clean water, a teaspoon of salt and eight teaspoons of sugar.

To prevent the bug from spreading people should wash their hands regularly and use a bleach-based cleaning agent to kill viruses on surfaces and toys.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Thames Hospital has implemented infection control measures following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting cases.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10619971

Vomiting bug hits Thames Hospital
2:26 PM Wednesday Jan 13, 2010

Thames Hospital has asked all but those requiring urgent hospitalisation to keep away after an outbreak of a highly contagious bug causing vomiting and diarrhoea.

The hospital said five inpatients, two relatives and five staff members had fallen ill.

Acting manager Rodger Clark said hospital-based patients with the symptoms were in isolation, as were the affected staff, and infection control measures had prevented the bug spreading through the hospital.

The Medical Officer of Health has been notified.

Local residents suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting have been urged to stay at home unless they urgently need hospitalisation.

The hospital said those suffering from diarrhoea should:

* Avoid tea, coffee or alcohol
* Follow hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette
* Use a bleach-based cleaning agent to kill viruses
* Stir 1t salt and 8t sugar into 1L clean water until dissolved to make a drinking solution

- NZHERALD STAFF

 

[alert]

Re: Thames Hospital has implemented infection control measures following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting cases.

I know that in the UK, "winter vomitting bug" is a nickname for norovirus. Perhaps the articles your posted are using a simliar convention - norovirus certainly seems probable there.

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Thames Hospital has implemented infection control measures following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting cases.

Yes - I agree - it probably is - but articles normally start with "suspected norovirus outbreak..." I heard the report on the radio - but was initially unable to find the documentation. Perhaps it is something else? It is usually well reported when something highly contagious is circulating - but wasn't!

 

[alert]

Re: Thames Hospital has implemented infection control measures following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting cases.

And here's your confirmation of norovirus.

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?glide=EH-20100116-24574-NZL&cat=dis&lang=eng

A suspected outbreak of the highly contagious stomach bug norovirus has hit a second North Island hospital. Whangarei Area Hospital may have the virus after it was confirmed at Thames Hospital on Friday. More than 20 patients are being isolated at the Whangarei hospital after a suspected outbreak of the virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea. One ward had been sealed off and tests were being carried out to confirm the presence of norovirus, which could be some days. No one was particularly ill yet but all the necessary precautions are being taken, a shift coordinator said. The Waikato District Health Board confirmed a vomiting bug at Thames Hospital, which has infected 13 staff and two patients, is norovirus.