A suspected norovirus outbreak has hit Whakatane Hospital’s Acute Care Unit, following just days after a suspected outbreak also hit Whangarei Hospital.
The Bay of Plenty District Health Board says infection control measures are in place, including the restriction of access to the unit by both visitors and staff.
Chief operating officer Peter Chandler says everyone infected has been isolated.
He says visitors are being urged to stay away from the unit unless their visit is absolutely essential.
The DHB says the public shouldn’t visit the hospital’s emergency department unless their case is an emergency.
A likely norovirus outbreak has also affected 11 people at Whangarei Hospital and strict infection control measures have been put in place on a ward.
The viral gastroenteritis outbreak was identified within Whangarei Hospital’s Ward One on around September 14. The outbreak, likely norovirus, has affected 11 patients who were isolated to prevent other patients being infected. As a further precaution, the ward was closed to new admissions and visiting restricted.
Strict infection control measures were put in place to reduce the risk for other patients within the hospital, said Clinical Microbiologist David Hammer.
Dr Hammer said that norovirus is currently widespread in the community and urged members of the public with any gastroenteritis-like symptoms not to visit patients in hospital. “We are asking members of the public – if you are unwell or have been around people who have been unwell – please do not visit the hospital for at least 48 hours,” he said.
