The Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) are encouraging people to wash their hands and stay at home if they have gastro symptoms, after a number of cases at the Warren Hospital over the weekend.
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It was reported that there was restricted access to the hospital over the weekend to stop the spread of the highly-contagious gastroenteritis infection to the wider community.
The Western NSW LHD are advising people to practice good hygiene to help prevent the virus from spreading.
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"People are urged to practice good hand hygiene by washing hands thoroughly using soap and running water for at least 10 seconds and drying with a clean towel, particularly after using the toilet, after assisting someone with diarrhoea and/or vomiting and before preparing food," a Western NSW LHD spokesperson said.
"Alternatively use alcohol hand gel if your hands are not visibly soiled and soap and water are not available."
They said it was also important to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
"It is particularly important for people who have had gastroenteritis to be careful about practicing good hand hygiene as described above even when symptoms have subsided because some people remain infectious even after they have recovered," the spokesperson said.
If you or someone you care for is sick:
- Immediately and thoroughly clean surfaces contaminated by an episode of vomiting or diarrhoea with hot, soapy water and then disinfect the area using a household disinfectant.
- Immediately remove and wash clothing or linen that may be contaminated with stool or vomit (use hot water and detergent).
- Flush or discard any vomit and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.
Anyone with vomiting or diarrhoea should rest at home and not attend work, school or child-care or visit a residential care facility until vomiting and diarrhoea have stopped for 48 hours.
During this time they should not prepare food for others, or care for patients, children or the elderly.
