Norovirus outbreak warning issued

Friday 04 January 2019

There's been an increase in the number of people being sick and suffering diarrhoea as norovirus hits the Bailiwick, just days before the schools go back - which is usually a time when bugs spread quite quickly.

Also known as the 'winter vomiting bug' the best advice doctors can give to anyone suffering at the moment is to rest at home and to keep as well hydrated as possible.

It is the most common stomach bug across the Bailiwick and the UK and is known to be highly contagious and can affect people of all ages.

It is easily spread by contact with contaminated surfaces, an infected person, or eating or drinking contaminated food or water. You'll know if you've got it as the symptoms are described as 'very distinctive' – meaning you'll suddenly feel nauseous followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

The virus is usually mild and can last for a couple of days, but very young and older people may suffer with stronger symptoms and take longer to recover.

Pictured: Norovirus has a couple of very obvious symptoms. 

As well as staying at home, to keep the virus as confined as possible, while drinking as much water as you can, the advice is also to wash your hands well. Guernsey's health officials said; "good hand hygiene is important to stop the spread of the virus."

Joana Rocha, Health Protection Nurse, said: 

“Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and water and dry them after using the toilet, before preparing food and eating. Specifically I would advise people not to rely on alcohol gels as these do not kill the virus.”

Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, also said that people should follow the given advice, while staying at home to try and stop the virus spreading any further.

“An infection with norovirus is self-limiting and most people will make a full recovery in 1-2 days. Our advice is to rest and keep hydrated. This is especially important for children and the elderly. The bug spreads very easily in public areas such as hospitals, GP surgeries, nursing homes and schools and is usually brought into these places by visitors. 

“HSC is therefore asking everyone to help prevent the spread of norovirus by staying away from hospitals and other healthcare facilities for 48hrs if you, or someone you live with, has vomited or had diarrhoea in the last 48 hours, unless you need urgent medical attention. As such, we would only advise visiting the Emergency Department at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital if you are concerned about the severity of your symptoms or you have underlying chronic health problems.”

Pictured top: Norovirus is doing the rounds, with vomiting and diarrhoea affecting a number of people in the Bailiwick.