The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance has declared a gastrointestinal outbreak in one of their hospitals.
On June 29 at 2:43 p.m., the HPHA issued a release stating that they have declared the outbreak at St. Marys Memorial Hospital on the Inpatient Unit.
HPHA staff are asking that everyone who comes to St. Marys Memorial Hospital to clean their hands upon entering and exiting the hospital, patient care areas and patient rooms to mitigate the spread.
Gastro, also known as the stomach flu, causes an infection in the stomach and intestines called gastroenteritis. This infection is not caused by the influenza virus.
“Most individuals with gastro infection will experience one to three days of nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea,” said Erica Jensen, Manager of Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Control. “Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and stomach cramps.”
Gastro infections have been linked to outbreaks of vomiting and/or diarrhea in schools, long term care homes, cruise ships, camps, dormitories, restaurants, households and other places where people gather in groups. A person who is ill with a gastro infection is most often able to spread the virus up to 48 hours after the symptoms subside.
Those visiting patients at the hospital are required to follow any posted instructions and are asked to limit their interaction to one patient per visit. Patients may only have one family caregiver/visitor per day. Those visiting infected patients will be required to wear gloves and gowns and must use the hand sanitizer provided to wash their hands upon leaving the patient’s room. Patients with symptoms are being isolated and common areas have been restricted.
“We are working with the Huron Perth Public Health to take all possible steps to stop the transmission of the virus, prevent any further infection, maintain bed availability and provide the best care to our patients,” concluded Jensen.
Visitors are also reminded that if they aren’t feeling well, they should postpone their visit to at least 48 hours after symptoms clear.
