An appeal was made at Masses throughout the region yesterday for people not to visit patients at two Mayo hospitals which have been affected by an outbreak of a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis.
No new cases of the virus have been reported in the past 24 hours, at either Mayo General Hospital and the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar, which caters mainly for the elderly. Strict infection control procedures are in place at both hospitals.
The health board estimates "several thousand" gastro-enteritis cases in the community in Mayo. The symptoms of the virus include diarrhoea, fever, cramps and flu. The illness poses no particular difficulty, except for the elderly.
A spokesperson for the Western Health Board said yesterday that it would be at least Wednesday before elective surgery recommences at Mayo General Hospital. Outpatient and X-ray services at the hospital are not affected.
The spokesperson explained that the board had issued an appeal to the public through clergy at Masses yesterday not to visit patients except in cases where the patient was seriously ill.
"The community has responded well to our appeal so far and we are deeply grateful for the co-operation."