Wards still closed after bug hits hospital (From Yeovil Express)

Wards still closed after bug hits hospital

6:00am Thursday 16th March 2006 in Yeovil By Lyndsey Mayhew

TWO wards at Yeovil District Hospital are still closed after a 'winter vomiting bug' struck down staff and patients.

Wards 6A and 8B have been closed to new admissions for over a week after 16 patients and four members of staff were struck down with the norovirus bug.

Ward 8A was also closed to new patients last week but has now reopened after a deep clean.

A spokesman for the hospital said strict hygiene procedures are in place and they would like to thank everyone for their co-operation.

Norovirus is not just a hospital infection. It is a virus that is widely found in the community, particularly affecting schools, nursing homes and other places where large numbers of people are gathered and therefore can easily spread the infection.

Patients in hospital, particularly those who are very young, frail or elderly, are much more vulnerable to the bug.

So visitors are being asked to stay away if they have any symptoms of nausea, sickness, or stomach upset.

Visiting is restricted to two per bed, with no sitting on beds allowed. Any food or drinks brought into wards should be kept covered at all times.

Hand hygiene is always a priority, with disinfectant hand gels prominent in main reception and on all wards, to be used by everyone as they enter and leave.

Symptoms of the gastric illness are very unpleasant and include watery diarrhoea and vomiting - they usually subside within 12 to 48 hours.

Alison Moon, director of nursing at the hospital, said: "Infection control is an absolute priority at Yeovil District Hospital, and we know that people are keen to help us reduce the risks. Although norovirus cannot be prevented completely, there is lots we can do to help limit the spread.

"We know that people find it hard to stay away when they have relatives or friends in hospital, but we are asking them to think twice before visiting, especially if they are feeling at all unwell, and to follow strict hygiene rules.

"This is a virus, not a bacterial infection, so it does not respond to antibiotics or anti-diarrhoea medication.

"Patients affected are being kept as comfortable as possible, with regular fluid intake and painkillers as appropriate.

"While gastric illnesses such as norovirus are very unpleasant, sym-ptoms usually subside within 12 to 48 hours."

The temporary closure to new admissions is being kept under constant review. It will be lifted once no more patients or staff are developing symptoms.