Back to business for Sidmouth Hospital after vomiting and diarrhoea bug outbreak
A CONTAGIOUS vomiting and diarrhoea bug shut down a bay-ward at Sidmouth Victoria Hospital for 48-hours this week.
A CONTAGIOUS vomiting and diarrhoea bug shut down a bay-ward at Sidmouth Victoria Hospital for 48-hours this week.
An outbreak of the airborne Norovirus, the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis, led to the closure. The bay has since been cleaned and re-opened.
Jane Barr, Devon Primary Care Trust's infection prevention and control manager, told the Herald:
"One bay was closed at Sidmouth Victoria Hospital for about 48 hours due to a small outbreak of Norovirus.
"There were no new reports of Norovirus thanks to the stringent measures we put in place and inpatients are now being readmitted.
"Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhoea and although unpleasant, is not considered a major health risk.
Most Read
- 1 Arson attack destroys Ottery NHS worker's car
- 2 Waves of enthusiasm for Sidmouth Sea Fest
- 3 Fire service appoints former police sergeant as ambassador for road safety initiative
- 4 Drunken gunman 'nearly shot dead' by police in village confrontation
- 5 Three Sidmouth sites included in review of East Devon employment sites
- 6 Trio gear up for 'banger' car rally in aid of Motor Neurone Disease charity
- 7 Sainsbury's alters planned car park signs after 'customers only' concerns
- 8 Sidmouth's Fire Beacon Hill will live up to its name in Jubilee ceremony
- 9 Plan unveiled to restore 'magical' hidden garden in Sidmouth
- 10 Firefighters tackle car fire at Ottery supermarket
"It is an airborne virus which is found in the community and is brought into hospitals and we would encourage visitors not to go to visit any of our hospitals if they have experienced any symptoms within the last 72 hours."
Several wards at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital have been hit by the infection in the past few weeks.