Tauranga and Middlemore hospitals are on alert following outbreaks of the gastrointestinal bug norovirus over the weekend.
A number of cases among staff and patients were reported at both hospitals on Sunday. Health officials suspected the virus was coming in with patients from the community and urged visitors to wash hands and stay away if they suffered from recent diarrhoea or vomiting.
Norovirus causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, and is a reasonably common cause of diarrhoea and vomiting in the community. Most cases will resolve without treatment within one to two days.
Media coverage:
TVNZ News: Norovirus outbreak ‘under control’
Radio NZ: Norovirus alert continues at Middlemore hospital
NZ Herald: Hospitals battle norovirus outbreaks
Sun Live: Norovirus outbreak in Bay
NewsTalk ZB: Unwell hospital visitors urged to steer clear