Caution: Norovirus

Some staff and patients have presented with symptoms that could be Norovirus.

This is a virus that causes gastroenteritis or Diahorrea and Vomiting This has recently been an issue in Middlemore Hospital and more recently a Gisborne Rest home & Retirement Village.

These are unconfirmed cases however if you have these symptoms it is important that you are not at work exposing others.

To prevent further spread, good hand hygiene is important. Those affected should be in isolation for at least 48 hours and avoid contact with others. While in isolation at the Hospital staff will wear gloves and gowns for all patient care.

If not an emergency then affected people should phone their GP or Healthline first for Medical advice.
In the interim we will be restricting all unnecessary visits to the Wairoa Acute Ward-please let your networks know this.


Sonya Smith | Smokefree Liaison & Nurse Advisor
Wairoa/Chathams | Hawke's Bay District Health Board
Kitchener street, Wairoa 4108
Ph:  06 838 7099, ext 4866
Fax: 06 838 9723 Mob: 027 7428498 Web: www.hawkesbaydhb.govt.nz