As another ward closes at Dunedin Hospital because of suspected norovirus, the hospital's infection control leader says people are not heeding spread-prevention messages.
Yesterday, Ward 7A closed because four of the 18 patients there fell ill with vomiting and diarrhoea.
It is the fourth ward to be affected in the last fortnight.
Otago District Health Board infection prevention and control charge nurse manager Jo Stodart says people who have had the virus or been in contact with it must stay away from the hospital for 48 hours afterwards.
It was not sufficient to believe if they had the illness yesterday and were feeling OK today that it was safe to visit the hospital.
"People think 'it's only an upset tummy'. It may be for them, but if you are already ill in hospital, you don't want that brought in."
However, people who were ill enough to be admitted to the hospital should not stay away.
Ward 8A is still closed, after one more patient and another staff member fell ill.
Neighbouring ward 8B reopened yesterday after being thoroughly cleaned.
When wards are closed, no patients are admitted and no visitors are allowed.
Extra cleaning has been carried out and hand-cleaning stations with antimicrobial gels are outside affected wards.
Mrs Stodart said the importance of thorough and frequent hand-washing could not be emphasised too strongly.
