Dozens in Marlborough hit by stomach bug

The norovirus which plagued Wairau Hospital and two Blenheim rest homes appears to have hit Marlborough schools and kindergartens hard, with schools reporting "significant" numbers of students absent.

At Springlands Kindergarten, 15 of the 45 children on the roll were absent due to illness on Friday, with the virulent stomach bug suspected to be responsible for about 10 of the absences.

Marlborough Boys' College school secretary Kaye Dickson said in addition to the students whose absences were reported by telephone, between seven and 12 boys were reporting to the sick bay every day and being sent home.

On a normal day, between one and three boys would go to the sick bay.

"The tummy bug is pretty fierce and pretty sudden. They've usually vomited by the time they arrive," she said.

The virus struck two Blenheim rest homes two weeks ago, with one having 28 per cent of its staff and 57 per cent of its patients infected with the illness.

The virus has hit a number of hospitals in the last six months. At Wairau Hospital the medical and rehabilitation wards were closed for new admissions after 27 staff and five patients were struck by diarrhoea and vomiting.

- NZPA