Norovirus closes part of Middlesbrough hospital (From The Northern Echo)
Send us your pictures, video, news and views by texting NORTHERN ECHO to 80360 or email us
Norovirus closes part of Middlesbrough hospital
12:02pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Middlesbrough News
THREE wards at a hospital are closed after being hit by sickness and diarrhoea.
The infection control team at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, is monitoring two surgical wards and one medical ward after patients and staff reported symptoms of the winter vomiting illness norovirus.
The wards have been closed to new admissions.
Visitors with vomiting or diarrhoea, or who feel unwell, are being advised to delay their visit until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.
Infectious disease consultant Dr Richard Bellamy said: “To minimise the risk of infection spreading further, patients on the ward will not be transferred onto other wards or discharged to other hospitals, nursing and residential homes.”
Noroviruses cause an unpleasant but generally shortlived illness from which people will usually recover without treatment.
Symptoms are best treated by staying at home, drinking fluids and getting rest.
However if the illness persists for more than a few days, people are urged to contact their GP by phone or take advice call NHS Direct on 0845- 4647.
