HSE South West and HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) are advising the public that Norovirus (or Winter Vomiting Bug) a very common cause of gastroenteritis is currently circulating at high levels in the community.

HSE South West and HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) are advising the public that Norovirus (or Winter Vomiting Bug) a very common cause of gastroenteritis is currently circulating at high levels in the community.

The seasonal surge in cases puts extra pressure on health and care services, including hospitals and nursing homes. Norovirus is highly infectious. It is easily spread by close contact between people.

Dr Margaret O’Sullivan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the HSE South West, said:

“The Department of Public Health HSE South West strongly reiterates the current HSE HPSC advice that Norovirus (winter vomiting bug) is circulating at high levels https://www.hpsc.ie/news/title-25290-en.html . If you have respiratory symptoms, or vomiting or diarrhoea, do not visit hospitals, nursing homes, or vulnerable people at home. Avoid social visits to care settings while unwell. Your actions will make a difference.”

HSE South West reminds the public that Cork University Hospital continues to experience high activity levels with visitor restrictions remaining in place to protect vulnerable patients and staff.

For more information on symptoms, treatment and prevention of norovirus visit https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/norovirus/ and https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/gastroenteric/norovirus/.

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