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19 contracted with Norovirus in new outbreak in New Zealand

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-29 15:34

WELLINGTON -- One more patient fell ill to the contagious norovirus at southern New Zealand's Dunedin Hospital overnight Thursday, Otago District Health Board operations manager Megan Boivin said.

Nineteen patients in 10 wards appeared to have contracted norovirus in a new outbreak of the virus in the past couple of days, the Otago Daily Post reported on Friday.

The original outbreak three weeks ago affected more than 170 staff and patients and to a lockdown at the hospital with a ban on visitors.

Boivin said the hospital had been working vigorously to contain the illness, including changing the air conditioning from recirculating air to bringing in fresh air.

The Dunedin Hospital was turning to other hospitals and infection-control specialists for help as it continued to struggle with more cases of norovirus.

Last week, three wards at the hospital were closed for admissions as the number of new norovirus cases mounted daily.

Nearly 200 patients and staff have fallen ill with the virus since the first outbreak on August 4.