Diarrhoea bug confirmed as norovirus

THE diarrhoea and vomiting bug affecting wards at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital has now been confirmed as the norovirus — which caused the hospital to postpone operations earlier this year.

The norovirus is affecting three wards, with a further three wards closed from a diarrhoea and vomiting bug as yet unconfirmed as the norovirus.

Dinham — which specialises in breast and endocrine, or hormone, surgery, Mere — an upper gastrointestinal and thoracic surgery ward, Kenn — dedicated to patients with Parkinson's disease and older people — have all been confirmed as having norovirus.

The three wards affected by the unknown virus are Exe — for general medicine, vascular waiting list and emergency surgery, Clyst —for stroke patients, and Dart — dedicated to urology and general surgery.

A spokeswoman for the RD&E said: "At the moment, visitors are discouraged from coming to these affected wards.

"We would also like to remind visitors not to come in to the hospital at all if they have had any symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting or been in contact with someone with symptoms. They will need to have been symptom free for at least 48 hours before visiting.

"It is extremely important to note that these infection cases are not due to the wards being cleaned inadequately. The diarrhoea and vomiting bugs are brought in to the hospital from the outside by patients and visitors and this is how it spreads.

"Therefore it is more important then ever to remember that if you have suffered from diarrhoea and/or vomiting symptoms in the last 48 hours please stay away from the hospital and refrain from visiting until you are free of symptoms for 48 hours."