Gastrointestinal Illness-Tips to Prevent Spread of Illness

Gastrointestinal illness continues to be a problem at three of Western Health's facilities, including an outbreak at the Western Memorial Regional Hospital. There is also an outbreak in the City of Corner Brook itself.

Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and low-grade fever. Gastrointestinal illness is very contagious and can easily spread from person to person.

Western Health is offering tips to prevent the spread of illness

• Wash your hands frequently with liquid soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after using the washroom, before eating and before preparing food, as well as before handling ready to eat food products.

• If you are experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea please stay home. People with these symptoms can easily pass on their illness.

• Ill people should only return to their workplace, school or daycare when their symptoms have cleared for at least 48 hours.

• At home, if someone is ill with vomiting and/or diarrhea, clean the affected areas with a disinfectant.

• If members of the public are ill with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea, Western Health is requesting that you stay away from hospitals, long term care homes, personal care homes or other residential care homes until 48 hours after your illness is over.