Confirmed cases of the Norovirus at Milton Keynes hospital

Norovirus is currently circulating in the community and cases have been confirmed at Milton Keynes Hospital.

Health professionals are asking the public to help prevent the spread of Norovirus, which can be very dangerous to elderly and sick people, by staying away from hospitals if at all possible if they have had any diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms and to take note of the following advice.

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, if you are in an NHS facility as well as washing your hands you should use the hand gels available.

Ensure that toilet areas in your home are kept clean, particularly if you have been experiencing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Wash any clothing or linen that could be contaminated with norovirus and disinfect any hard surfaces that could be contaminated.

Stay away from hospitals, work, school or social gatherings until you have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

Doctor Nicola Smith, said: “Norovirus is very common at this time of year so we need to all do what we can to help prevent it spreading within the hospital and within the community.

“For most people it is no worse than a short bout of diarrhoea and vomiting that should clear up within 24-72 hours.

“However, for the more vulnerable, it can have a more significant effect.”