CCG calls on residents to ‘do their bit’ to help stop spread of winter vomiting bug

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is asking local communities for help to prevent the spread of Norovirus, the seasonal winter vomiting bug.

Wards and bays have been closed at Scarborough Hospital after an outbreak of the highly contagious virus, putting more than 50 beds out of use.

With peak Norovirus season approaching, local clinicians are asking people with vomiting and diarrhoea to “keep it to yourself” and stay away from GP surgeries and hospitals.

Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Chairman and family GP, Dr Phil Garnett, said: “When a loved one is poorly and in hospital, our natural instinct is to want to be with them, even if we’re feeling under the weather ourselves.

“However, Norovirus is particularly contagious and if you have the bug, the risk of passing it on to the person you are visiting in hospital who may already be quite ill – as well as other people – is extremely high.

“When an outbreak of the virus occurs, particularly in an environment like a hospital, it is difficult to contain and can lead to the closure of entire wards, putting a huge strain on local NHS services at a time when they are most in demand.”

York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Chief Nurse, Beverley Geary, added: “Closing wards helps us to contain the virus, but it means beds become unavailable and pressure is created throughout the entire system. Visitors can play a large part by staying away while they are unwell with diarrhoea and vomiting and for two days after their symptoms have stopped.”

Norovirus is the most common stomach bug in the UK, affecting people of all ages. It spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools and care homes.  It can be spread through contact with an infected person, by contact with contaminated surfaces or by consuming contaminated food or water.

There is no treatment for Norovirus but it is important people who have the winter vomiting bug keep hydrated to combat the loss of fluids. People infected with Norovirus are usually contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least three days after recovery. However, most people will recover within a few days and there are no long-term effects.

Typical symptoms of a Norovirus infection include the sudden onset of projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Some people also experience headaches, mild temperature and stomach cramps.

The Scarborough and Ryedale CCG strongly urges anyone who thinks they may be infected to stay at home and don’t visit a GP surgery, but call NHS 111 for advice if necessary.

There are simple steps people can take to reduce the risk of spreading Norovirus:-

• Thorough hand washing – wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry
  
• Don’t prepare food while infected
  
• Immediately clean and disinfect surfaces after episodes of diarrhoea and vomiting
  
• Wash clothes and bed linens that may be contaminated thoroughly
  
• Drink plenty of fluids – stay away from caffeine and pay particular attention to the young and elderly for signs of dehydration
  

For more information please visit www.nhs.uk/norovirus

06 December 2016