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Norovirus Update

Trusts urge people to avoid visiting if they have symptoms of D&V

NORTH Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and United Bristol Healthcare Trust (UBHT) are reminding local people to avoid visiting its hospitals if they have had symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in the last 48 hours or have been in close proximity to someone experiencing symptoms.

Over the past few weeks, cases of Norovirus – the winter vomiting virus – have escalated in the community.

As of today (Thursday, February 21), there are seven wards at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (UBHT), six wards and two bays at Frenchay Hospital (NBT) and one bay at Southmead Hospital (NBT) closed to new admissions. Patients in these areas continue to receive full treatment.

Norovirus is brought into hospitals from the local community and is easily spread by contact with people suffering diarrhoea, vomiting or contamination in the environment. Some patients do not realise they are already incubating the virus when they attend hospital.

Any potential hospital visitors, adults or children, must stay away from hospital if they have upset stomachs or tummy bugs. They must not visit until the symptoms have stopped for at least two days.

Airborne spread occurs during episodes of vomiting, to those in close proximity at the time.

Symptoms appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus and can last for up to three days.

The Trust is also asking people with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting not to present themselves for initial treatment at A&E – please first contact your GP or out- of-hours service for advice.

If you are due to come into the hospital for an operation or appointment and have symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting please phone ahead in advance to let the nursing staff know and to get further advice.

Every year most UK hospitals, and also many schools and nursing homes are affected by Norovirus.

Corinne Thomas, Director of Nursing at North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “We strongly urge visitors with symptoms to please avoid visiting the hospital until symptoms have completely settled for two days. If a visitor has recently had diarrhoea or vomiting, we ask that they phone ahead to the ward for advice.

"We are totally committed to controlling the spread of infections in our hospitals and have a dedicated and highly skilled infection control team that ensures all staff are aware of the symptoms and control measures for this virus.

"But it’s just as important for members of the public to work with us to help prevent the spread of Norovirus infection."

Pat Fields, Deputy Director of Nursing at United Bristol Healthcare Trust, said: “It is essential that the public work with us to help prevent the spread of the Norovirus infection.

"If you have experienced diarrhoea and vomiting you must not come in to hospital until you are clear of symptoms for 48 hours. It is also important to stay away if you have been in close proximity to someone who has had these symptoms, as you may already be incubating the virus yourself."

Click here to download further information on the Norovirus

For more information contact the North Bristol NHS Trust Press Office on Tel: 0117 9186779 or the United Bristol Healthcare Trust Press Office on Tel: 0117 9283718.