The Western Health and Social Care Trust is asking people not to visit patients in Altnagelvin Hospital if they have been feeling unwell themselves.

An increase in vomiting and diarrhoea was experienced last week among patients in Ward 8, a specialist surgical ward at Altnagelvin Hospital. The wardreopened yesterday and is operating as normal.

However, Ward 4, Gynae Ward at Altnagelvin Hospital, is now closed to admissions after the Trust has seen an  increase in vomiting and diarrhoea experienced among patients there and as an infection prevention and control measure, the ward is currently closed to admissions. To date six patients and no staff have experienced such symptoms.

Alan McKinney, Western Trust Medical Director said: “There is no direct relation between the closure of Ward 8 over the weekend and the closure of Ward 4 today. When an increase in vomiting and diarrhoea is experienced in the community it can have an impact on hospital services and instances such as this are often the case at this time of year. The Trust's Infection Prevention and Control team is continuing to provide advice and increased infection control measures have been taken.

He continued: “The public has an important role to play by not visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell, particularly if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting. And if someone has been unwell we would advise them to wait until at least 72 hours after they have had diarrhoea and/or vomiting before visiting the hospital."

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