Infection control precautions are being stepped up at Rotorua Hospital in response to an increase in influenza cases, with visitors being told they may need to wear masks or be restricted as to where they can go at the hospital.
Quality and risk manager Lesley Yule said with the combination of a number of influenza cases and a very busy hospital, it made sense to extend the use of infection control in some of the clinical areas.
She said visitors coming to Rotorua Hospital needed to be aware that they may be asked to wear masks, or to restrict their movements around the hospital.
"These measures are for the safety of our patients and of visitors to the hospital."
Ms Yule said the Lakes District Health Board was very aware of the value of patients having visitors in hospital, but she hoped that visitors would understand the need for the precautions and would co-operate with staff in implementing them.
She said while there was influenza in the community, the health board preferred to have only two visitors per patient at any one time, which would help to reduce the risk of infection spreading.
She said people planning to visit friends or family in Rotorua Hospital should not be going to visit if they were unwell themselves.
People with flu-like symptoms should contact their GP before they go to their doctor's surgery, to help prevent the spread.