6 hospitalised after gastro outbreak in Nelson

  • 02/03/2018
"Very young and older people are especially vulnerable," one doctor said.
"Very young and older people are especially vulnerable," one doctor said. Photo credit: File

Six patients have been isolated after an outbreak of gastroenteritis at Nelson Hospital.

Hospital operations manager and associate director of nursing Linda Ryan warns people with symptoms shouldn't visit people in the hospital.

"It's really important not to visit people in hospital if you have diarrhoea or vomiting, and for up to 48 hours after those symptoms cease," she says.

"We are managing the outbreak and are otherwise fully functional but have that important message for our community."

The symptoms of gastroenteritis are:

  •  nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
  •  stomach cramps, headache and low-grade fever
  •  chills and muscle aches.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Andrew Lindsay says people should also avoid going to work, rest homes and early childhood education centres (ECEs) if they have symptoms.

"Gastroenteritis is highly infectious, very easily spread from person to person and people are contagious for up to 48 hours after symptoms have ceased. Very young and older people are especially vulnerable," Dr Lindsay says.

People are advised to see a doctor if they, or a family member: 

  • has blood in their vomit
  • gets any new or worse symptoms
  • has vomiting or diarrhoea for longer than three days
  • becomes badly dehydrated.

Newshub.