Norovirus closes wards - again

Wards have been closed in two Christchurch hospitals after another outbreak of highly infectious norovirus.

Canterbury District Health Board is urging anyone with vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea requiring medical assistance to phone their GP or after-hours medical centre before visiting them or going to Christchurch Hospital's emergency department.

This follows an outbreak of norovirus that has shut two wards at Princess Margaret Hospital and one at Christchurch Hospital. It is also present in three other wards at Christchurch Hospital and one ward at Burwood Hospital.

Wards at the Princess Margaret and Christchurch Hospitals were closed earlier in the year because of norovirus.

The gut-wrenching virus that causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea is spread through contaminated food and eating surfaces, and through contact with infected people.

- NZPA