A VIRUS that had a devastating effect on the running of York Hospital last winter could become the subject of a wide-reaching education campaign.

Health chiefs across York, North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire hope that by giving hospital visitors the facts about the Norwalk virus, the number of cases of the infection brought on to wards throughout the region will be dramatically reduced.

York Hospital suffered several outbreaks of the airborne sickness and diarrhoea virus throughout 2002 - but the problem peaked in January this year when 12 wards were closed to admissions at one time.

It meant that patients who were due to be discharged became too ill to be moved, those awaiting operations who contracted Norwalk had their treatments put back until they recovered, and affected wards were closed to new admissions.

Staff levels were also affected, particularly because the quarantine period is 48 hours after symptoms cease.

Vicki Parkin, senior infection control nurse at York Hospital, said that period was "the worst I've ever experienced".

She said: "It's important that visitors who are ill with diarrhoea and vomiting try not to visit the hospital because they run the risk of bringing it into the hospital.

"There's a misconception that Norwalk, or winter vomiting virus, is hospital-acquired, but it's not, it's often brought in by somebody.

"The key message to visitors is to stay away if they have symptoms. We are trying to protect their loved ones and themselves - that's the bottom line."

Health communications officers in the NorthYorkshire and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) area are in the early stages of talks about the campaign, which is expected to be launched in September, prior to the virus's peak winter period.

Possible ideas include a co-ordinated poster and leaflet campaign as well as information and advertising in local media.

A spokeswoman for York Health Services NHS Trust, which runs York Hospital, said the virus was in the community and affected a number of organisations.

She said: "We want to educate the public about the spread of the virus because it's become an increasing concern for hospitals, community units, nursing homes, schools and for employers."

An SHA spokeswoman said: "There have been some very early talks about pulling together a campaign to help develop public understanding of Norwalk.

"Decisions will be made over the next few weeks about how to take this further."

Updated: 10:25 Monday, June 16, 2003