Norovirus warning after ward affected at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary

Members of the public are being reminded not to visit any hospital, school or care home if they have suffered from, or been in contact with someone who has suffered from diarrhoea and /or vomiting within the last 72 hours.

Relatives, and friends of patients on Ward 22 who are planning to visit are asked to contact the hospital on 01524 65944 to make arrangements should they feel that it is necessary to visit.

A spokesperson for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation trust, advises that Norovirus is highly contagious and 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.

“Norovirus is the most frequent cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales and

typical symptoms are vomiting and diarrhoea. People affected will feel unwell initially but will usually improve quickly as the symptoms settle over a period of 24 – 48 hours.

“This illness can be highly disruptive to patients and on rare occasions it may lead to patients having surgery or other procedures cancelled.

“We have confirmed an outbreak of Norovirus on Ward 22 and we would ask people to follow our advice to minimise its effects on the hospital, themselves and their families.”