Norovirus outbreak sees visitors banned from hospitals

A norovirus outbreak has led to a health board banning visitors at its hospitals.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said on Friday all general visiting would be stopped to protect patients, staff and visitors.

Norovirus is very contagious and can be caught from infected people and through touching contaminated surfaces such as toilet flush handles.

The health board said exceptions will be considered and the restrictions will be reviewed next week.

Most people recover from norovirus in a few days without hospital care but some become very ill.

Symptoms include:

• sudden, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea
• high temperature
• stomach pains
• aching limbs

Norovirus can be caught from:

• close contact with – or eating food prepared or handled by – someone infected
• touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then your mouth

Source: NHS

The health board said: “Exceptions will be considered, particularly for those patients who are critically ill, receiving end of life care, birth partners and the Children’s Hospital for Wales.”

The hospitals the health board manages are:

• University Hospital of Wales
• University Hospital Llandough
• Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital (which will still allow visitors)
• St David’s Hospital
• Barry Hospital
• Cardiff Royal Infirmary
• Hafan y Coed Mental Health Unit
• University Dental Hospital (UDH)

The health board added that those who can still visit will have to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, use hand sanitising gels.