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A norovirus outbreak which has seen visitors barred from nine North East hospitals was caused by someone taking shellfish onto a ward – health bosses have revealed.

A spokesperson for the Northumbria Healthcare trust says the NHS body believes the outbreak started when a visitor brought mussels for an inpatient at Wansbeck General Hospital.

Oysters, mussels, scallops and clams can harbour the highly contagious bug.

Around 180 visitors and staff have been affected by the bug at four hospitals, with seven wards closed altogether across North Tyneside and Wansbeck hospitals.

The trust has now banned visitors - except where the patient receiving end of life care - from its nine hospitals across North Tyneside and Northumberland in a bid to stop the spread of the winter vomiting bug.

These are the hospitals where the visitor ban is in force:

Northumbria Special Emergency Care Hospital, Cramlington

Hexham General Hospital

North Tyneside General Hospital

Morpeth Cottage Hospital

Wansbeck General Hospital

Alnwick Infirmary

Berwick Infirmary

Blyth Community Hospital

Haltwhistle War Memorial Hospital

What is norovirus?

Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK.

It’s also called the winter vomiting bug because it’s more common in winter, although you can catch it at any time of the year.

How does it spread?

Norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

You can catch it if small particles of vomit or poo from an infected person get into your mouth, such as through:

close contact with someone with norovirus – they may breathe out small particles containing the virus that you could inhale

touching contaminated surfaces or objects – the virus can survive outside the body for several days

eating contaminated food – this can happen if an infected person doesn’t wash their hands before handling food

A person with norovirus is most infectious from when their symptoms start until 48 hours after all their symptoms have passed, although they may also be infectious for a short time before and after this.

You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing, so your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.

How can I avoid it?

It’s not always possible to avoid getting norovirus, but following this advice can help stop the virus spreading.

Norovirus is spread by touch so make sure you wash and dry your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Don’t rely on alcohol hand gels alone.

Be careful when clearing up after someone who has been ill – wash your hands frequently.

Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with a household cleaning product.

Wash any items of clothing, bedding, or towels that could have been contaminated on a separate hot wash, to ensure the virus is killed.

Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed. You should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.

Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce and only eat oysters from a reliable source, as oysters can carry norovirus.

What are the symptoms?

You’re likely to have norovirus if you experience:

suddenly feeling sick

projectile vomiting

watery diarrhoea

Some people also have a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.

The symptoms appear one to two days after you become infected and typically last for up to two or three days.

What to do if you have norovirus

Norovirus can be very unpleasant but it usually clears up by itself in a few days.

If you experience sudden diarrhoea and vomiting, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you’re feeling better. There’s no cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course.

You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.

Try to avoid going to your GP, as norovirus can spread to others very easily. Call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re concerned or need any advice.

How can I ease the symptoms?

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea – as well as water, adults could also try fruit juice and soup.

Avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children as it can make their diarrhoea worse. Babies should continue to feed as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds.

Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains.

Get plenty of rest.

If you feel like eating, eat plain foods such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.

You should RING your GP or NHS 111 if:

• you or your child has severe dehydration;

• has bloody diarrhoea;

• your symptoms haven’t improved after a few days;

• or you have a serious underlying health condition.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Norovirus