Wednesday 4th May 2011

Chesterfield Royal Hospital is today urging people to watch out for the signs of Norovirus after an outbreak has lead to a ward closure.

Anyone experiencing the symptoms is being asked to stay at home until symptom free for at least 72 hours as the virus can still spread during that time, even if you feel well.

Diane Simpson is the Senior Matron for Infection Prevention and Control, and she had this message for residents of North Derbyshire: "We've had an outbreak on Basil ward and closed it to reduce the risk of cross-infection to other wards and departments. We're taking all of the usual precautions in terms of cleaning and good hand hygiene to complement that and will continue to do everything we can to prevent it spreading but we need help from the general public to do it.

"It is an incredibly infectious virus and spreads primarily through touch so if you do suffer symptoms then please stay at home. Ensure you wash your hands before and after going to the toilet, keep surfaces clean and do not go back to work or visit areas with lots of people until you've been symptom free for 72 hours. That applies to children at school as well."

The symptoms include severe vomiting and diarrhoea, a temperature, headache, stomach cramps and aching limbs that can last for anything between 12 to 60 hours. Around 600,000 to one million people suffer from Norovirus in the UK every year and it is the country's most common cause of stomach upset.

The virus is highly infectious, can survive on surfaces for several days and spreads through contact with an infected person, touching surfaces or objects that haven't been cleaned and eating contaminated food.

Diane added: "It's unusual but not uncommon to see outbreaks this late in the season and the Public Health Agency have issued a nationwide call for vigilance during its continued presence in the healthcare and wider communities.

"If you do experience the symptoms then make sure you get lots of rest and drink plenty of water. If symptoms persist or you become concerned then please don't visit your GP, instead call them for advice or telephone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

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