Visitors barred from Waterford Hospital after vomiting bug outbreak

Only in special circumstances will visitors be permitted to enter Waterford Regional Hospital this weekend after an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

The vomiting bug, known as the norovirus, has hit the city recently and staff at Waterford Regional are anxious that it won’t be spread amongst patients and staff by visitors who might bring it into the hospital without being aware of it.

As a result, only visitors to critical care patients, the partner or designated visitor of a maternity patient, or the parents or guardians of a child may visit. No children will be allowed visit.

According to general manager Patricia O'Sullivan, it is a regrettable but entirely necessary measure.

“The vomiting bug is currently in the community and people may unknowingly bring the bug into the hospital when visiting sick relatives or friends”, Ms O'Sullivan is quoted as saying in the Irish Times.

The hospital has also requested that people should only report to the emergency department in cases of genuine emergency and that they consult their GP beforehand. The emergency services, cancer services and outpatient services will continue to operate as normal.

As the name indicates, catching the vomiting bug is not a pleasant experience, with symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

It can be transmitted from direct contact with someone who already has the bug or through contaminated food and although it not particularly serious to most people, it can cause major problems for small children, the elderly and those who are already sick.

The situation at Waterford Regional Hospital will be reviewed daily before the visitor situation returns to normal.