Palmerston North Hospital Norovirus Information
Palmerston North Hospital main entrance.
Norovirus Information for Patients and Visitors
Norovirus is a highly contagious gastroenteritis which is common in our community.
Norovirus is found in high numbers in the vomit and faeces (stool, poo, tūtae) of people infected with the virus. Others become infected when they swallow the virus. This may be from:
• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with Norovirus from an infected food handler.
• Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with Norovirus, e.g. taps, utensils, linen, and then placing their hand into their mouth or sucking or mouthing contaminated objects.
• Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, caring for someone with the illness, contact with faeces or vomit of an infected person or sharing food or eating utensils with someone who is ill).
This virus is extremely contagious and can spread rapidly in a household or institutional setting - in hospitals, schools, childcare centres and rest homes.
Norovirus precautions in the hospital environment are the same as other infectious illnesses. Staff will be wearing gowns and gloves when providing patient care. In addition there maybe additional restrictions for visiting patients, and visitors should wash their hands before and after visiting, to lessen the risk of bringing infections into the hospital or spreading the infection between areas within the hospital.The hospital asks visitors to restrict their visits to Visiting Hours which are 2pm to 8pm.
Hand washing stations are placed at the front entrance, outside wards and at other places within the hospital. Visitors are encouraged to use these when entering and leaving.
You should not visit anyone if you are unwell with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, especially in hospitals, rest homes and similar institutions. Please wait until you have been free of diarrhoea or vomiting for 48 hours before visiting.
The hospital asks that all visitors come through the Ruahine Street entrance where the reception staff will direct visitors appropriately.
For further information please phone Central Enquiries on (06) 350 8770.
For further information please phone Central Enquiries on (06) 350 8770.
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Last Updated 28/08/2009