People are being asked not to visit patients at the Listowel Memorial Hospital due to an outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness.
The Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance announced on Wednesday an enteric outbreak has been declared on the second floor inpatient unit at the hospital. How many patients have contracted the illness has not been released.
Enteric illness is caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites that affect the stomach or intestines. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, abdominal cramps, and general irritability.
"We request family and caregivers postpone all non-essential visits," the hospital alliance said in a statement. "Please do not visit if you are unwell and experiencing infectious symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea."
The hospital alliance will notify the public once the outbreak has been declared over.