Bolton 'in the grip of diarrhoea and vomiting bug outbreak'

NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is warning anyone with symptoms of the sickness and diarrhoea bug to stay at home.

A spokesman for the CCG said it was unknown precisely how many people in Bolton had contracted the bug, but there was “anecdotal evidence” it could be spreading through care homes and GP practices.

He said health bosses were not aware of any particular reason why norovirus – sometimes known as the winter vomiting bug, because it is more common in winter – had struck now.

Most people will recover fully within one or two days of infection, but for people who are frail or already unwell norovirus can cause significant harm.

The CCG said in a statement: "Bolton is in the grip of the norovirus sickness and diarrhoea bug, and NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group is urging those experiencing symptoms to stay at home and to telephone NHS 111 for advice, rather than visit their local hospital or GP surgery."

Dr Stephen Liversedge, clinical director for Primary Care and Health Improvement at NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Norovirus is highly contagious.

“It is spread though contact with faeces or vomit from an infected person — but tiny traces on the hands of an infected person or someone who has cleared up after them is enough to contaminate surface and spread infection.

“Norovirus spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes, so must be kept out of these places.”

Meanwhile, parts of the Royal Bolton Hospital remain closed to new admissions after a norovirus outbreak was announced there this week.

Acute frailty unit B1 and respiratory ward D4 remain closed to new admissions, while complex care ward C4 – which had been shut this week – has now reopened.

One bay on surgical ward E4 and two bays on complex care ward B4 have now reopened after thorough deep cleans using special disinfecting methods took place.

The bay of surgical ward F4 which had been closed as a precaution has also reopened after two patients’ diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms were found to have no connection to the outbreak.

Symptoms were first noticed among patients and staff on March 30, but the outbreak became more serious on Tuesday.

Heather Edwards, head of communications at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Visiting restrictions will remain in place over the weekend, and the situation will be kept under review.”

The hospital is currently not discharging patients from affected wards to other closed units, such as care homes, so as not to spread the illness there.

No more than two visitors are allowed on affected wards at any one time, and children cannot visit.

Relatives are also being asked not to visit if they have had symptoms in the past three days and are being told to wash their hands on entry and exit and after contact with patients with the bug.

HOW TO PREVENT NOROVIRUS AND EASE ITS SYMPTOMS

- Basic hygiene, particularly through hand-washing, will limit norovirus’ spread.

- There is no treatment for the bug, but sufferers should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

- Take paracetamol for any fever, aches and pains.

- If you feel like eating, eat foods that are easy to digest.

- Babies and small children can still drink milk, and should be given plenty of fluids.

- Stay at home – norovirus is contagious, and there is nothing your GP can do. If you need advice, call the NHS 111 number.

- Contact your GP for advice if your symptoms last longer than a few days, or you already have a serious illness.