Vomiting bug forces ward closures at York Hospital (From York Press)

Vomiting bug forces ward closures at York Hospital

9:20am Wednesday 30th May 2012 in News By Richard Catton, richard.catton@thepress.co.uk

Updated: AN outbreak of a vomiting bug at York Hospital has forced the closure of two wards and the partial closure of another two.

Hospital bosses said visitors are being asked to stay away from Wards 11 and 33, and no new patients will be admitted to them while staff take action to control the spread of the virus.

Wards 22 and 34 are also affected, but people are advised to check with the hospital before visiting.

Yesterday a spokeswoman for York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that the outbreak was norovirus, a highly virulent bug which causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

She said: “We are currently experiencing an outbreak of a diarrhoea and vomiting bug, which is unusual for this time of year. As a result we have two wards closed and two partially closed to new admissions.

“We are confident that our staff are doing all the right things to contain the spread of the virus as we have clear processes for all staff to follow in these circumstances, and this includes being strict about visiting.”

The hospital said the recent outbreak could be down to the prolonged cold weather which gripped the region before the recent heatwave. Norovirus usually thrives during the winter months.

The spokeswoman said: “The affected areas are closed to visitors other than for essential visits at the discretion of the ward manager.

“Visitors can call the hospital before visiting to find out if a particular ward is closed. This is to keep the virus contained and to help visitors to keep themselves safe as well as their friends or relatives.”

The hospital is reminding people to always wash their hands before and after visiting and use the hand sanitizer gel.

“Children should not visit the affected areas, and people who have been unwell should not visit the hospital until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours,” she said.

For more information, phone York Hospital on 01904 631313