Visitors are being warned to stay away from St Vincent’s Care Centre in Athlone, due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.
According to the HSE, several cases of the bug, known as Norovirus, have now been confirmed at the Athlone facility. The virus is particularly dangerous to the very young and the very old, and visitor restrictions will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
“The HSE is asking people not to visit St Vincent’s Care Centre, Athlone as there are a number of confirmed cases of winter vomiting bug (Norovirus ) within the care centre,” said a HSE spokesperson yesterday.
“In order to assist staff in curtailing the spread of this potentially dangerous virus, which is particularly unsafe to both the very young and the very old, it is imperative that no visiting takes place during this period.
“Infection prevention and controls procedures will remain in place until further notice.”
The HSE recommends that members of the public who are experiencing symptoms of nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea should not visit and should first phone their local GP before presenting at the local practice.
Members of the public are advised to contact St Vincent’s on (090 ) 6475301 for information on relatives or admission of relatives.
Visiting restrictions are also in place at Portloaise Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick, where there are a number of suspected cases of the winter vomiting bug.
