Four Cork hospitals hit by winter vomiting bug

Visiting restrictions have been put in place at four Cork hospitals after they were hit with the winter vomiting bug.

Restrictions were today put in place in St Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, the latest institution to be struck by the virus. Restrictions remain at Bantry General Hospital and St Finbarr's Hospital, with Cork University Hospital having a total ban on visitors.

The Health Service Executive South has warned such precautionary measures need to be taken against the highly infectious virus which is still at large in the community.

"Patient care is our priority," said Tony McNamara, General Manager of the Cork University Hospital Group. "The winter vomiting virus is usually quite mild and rarely causes severe problems, but it may be debilitating to people who are already sick in hospital.

"By putting in place visitor restrictions, we want to limit the virus being brought into the hospital by visitors who may have had symptoms of the virus.

"Any persons with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, or anyone who has had contact with persons with those symptoms, should not visit any hospital or healthcare facility until they have been symptom free for 72 hours."

Yesterday, visitor restrictions were lifted at St Raphael's Centre for people with intellectual disabilities in Youghal, Co. Cork, where a number of staff and residents had previously been affected.

Health chiefs emphasised anyone with a concern in relation to visiting is asked to contact the nursing sister on the ward they intend to visit or to ring the hospital prior to visiting.

The winter vomiting bug causes short-lasting outbreaks of abdominal pain and nausea followed by diarrhoea and/or vomiting. It is highly infectious and spread by direct contact with vomit or diarrhoea, from someone who is ill, from the air around someone who has just vomited and from contaminated food.

Tips to avoid the bug include washing hands carefully, cleaning surfaces with diluted household bleach, not sharing towels and washing towels on hot cycle of washing machine.