Don't spread germs at your Christmas party!

Sunday 20 November 2016

Islanders are being warned to stay away from the hospital and local eateries if they've come down with the norovirus.

Health say there's been more cases of it both here and in the UK and are reminding people to take precautions especially when the Christmas party season starts.

They say five premises have had to temporarily close because of the virus and there have been few cases at the hospital.

Symptoms of norovirus can include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, malaise and vomiting and will usually last between 48 and  72 hours. Resting, drinking lots of water and paracetamol usually help but the Illness can be more severe particularly in the very young, the very old and in those with underlying medical conditions. 

Health say anyone worried about their symptoms or if they last for longer than 48 to 72 hours, should get in touch with their doctor.

Dr Ivan Muscat, Consultant Microbiologist at Jersey General Hospital, said anyone with symptoms should avoid the hospital and other institutions, including food outlets, until they are free of the virus.

He added that workers in catering and in health establishments should not return to work for 48 hours from the time of their last symptoms.

Dr Muscat said: “Even in the absence of known norovirus cases in an area or institution, enhanced measures to ensure hygiene are important in helping to limit illness.

"Such measures include increased hand hygiene with soap and water (alcohol gels are not effective against norovirus) and increased hygiene in food preparation/handling sites and toilet areas, using chlorine-based agents if at all possible. Caterers and those supervising health care facilities should take extra care to ensure that their staff are not unwell.”

Dr Muscat added that taking precautions to combat the spread of norovirus would be especially important once the start of the Christmas party season starts, because the bigger the group, the higher the risk of the virus spreading.