Gastrointestinal Illness-Tips to Prevent Spread of Illness
Western Health is advising that there is an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness at Western Memorial Regional Hospital and within the community.
Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and low-grade fever. Gastrointestinal illness is very contagious and can easily spread from person to person.
Here are some simple rules to follow to prevent the spread of gastrointestinal illness.
- Wash your hands frequently with liquid soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after using the washroom, before eating and before preparing food, as well as before handling ready to eat food products.
- If you are experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea please stay home. People with these symptoms can easily pass on their illness.
- Ill people should only return to their workplace, school or daycare when their symptoms have cleared for at least 48 hours.
- At home, if someone is ill with vomiting and/or diarrhea, clean the affected areas with a disinfectant.
If members of the public are ill with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea, we request that you stay away from hospitals, long term care homes, personal care homes or other residential care homes until 48 hours after your illness is over.
Residents should not hesitate to come to the hospital in if they need emergency care or call 911 for assistance. If you are in need of health advice, please call 811 to reach the Provincial HealthLine.
Western Health's current visitor restrictions can be found on its website, www.westernhealth.nl.ca.
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Media Contact:
Tara J. Pye
Director of Communications
Western Health
T: 784-5252
E: tarajpye@westernhealth.nl.ca