Norovirus warning at Mexborough Montagu Hospital

STAFF are urging people with flu, sickness or diarrhoea to stay away from Mexborough Montagu Hospital in a bid to prevent an outbreak of norovirus.

The contagious bug, which is also known as ‘winter vomiting disease’, is more common at this time of year and can spread quickly in close-knit areas such as hospitals, schools, nursing and residential homes.

So far, there have been no cases at Montagu however staff are fighting back against the seasonal round of infections by reminding patients and visitors to stay away until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours.

Maurice Madeo, deputy director of infection prevention and control, said: “Norovirus is not in itself a serious illness but it can have extremely worrying consequences for hospitals. “An outbreak may mean we have to restrict admissions to hospital wards in order to contain the infection.

“That’s why it’s so important not to visit hospital until you have been symptom-free with no nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea for at least 48 hours.

“If you visit hospital before then, you could still unwittingly pass your norovirus onto hospital patients and staff.”