Norovirus Cases Rising, 48-Hour Hospital Visit Restriction
Summary
Gibraltar's Director of Public Health issued an advisory on April 10, 2026, warning of rising norovirus cases in the community and requesting that individuals with diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms refrain from visiting hospital or Elderly Residential Services (ERS) patients for 48 hours after symptoms cease. Outpatients with recent symptoms are asked to contact departments to reschedule appointments.
What changed
The Government of Gibraltar's Public Health department issued an advisory on April 10, 2026, responding to an observed increase in community norovirus cases. The advisory implements a voluntary 48-hour restriction on hospital and Elderly Residential Services (ERS) visits for individuals experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting, effective until 48 hours after symptoms resolve. Outpatients with recent symptoms are directed to contact relevant departments to reschedule appointments rather than attending.
Affected parties include hospital patients and ERS residents who may have restricted visitor access, outpatients needing to reschedule appointments, and parents of schoolchildren who must keep symptomatic children home for 48 hours post-symptom. Healthcare facilities and schools are expected to accommodate the advisory. The Director of Public Health emphasized that alcohol hand gels are ineffective against norovirus and stressed proper hand washing as the primary prevention measure.
What to do next
- If experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting, do not visit hospital or ERS until 48 hours after symptoms stop
- Contact outpatient or radiology departments to reschedule appointments if symptomatic within 48 hours
- Keep children home from school until 48 hours after symptoms cease
Archived snapshot
Apr 10, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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- + Reset ## Norovirus Advice - 251/2026
April 10, 2026
Public Health are aware of an increase in people in the community suffering from rapid onset diarrhoea and/or vomiting. This is most likely due to norovirus, or the winter vomiting bug. This is typically a short-lived illness and although unpleasant, most people make a full recovery without needing medical care.
The GHA is requesting that if you experience diarrhoea or vomiting, please do not go and visit your family or friends in hospital or ERS until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.
If you are due to attend an outpatient appointment or radiology appointment such as breast screening and have had symptoms in the last 48 hours, please contact the relevant department, advise them that you are unwell and they will help to re-schedule your appointment.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, please call 111 for advice.
Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Carter, said: “Please do not visit your friends or family in hospital or ERS until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped. The reason this is important is because norovirus is very infectious and you may pass the infection onto patients and staff.
“The same advice applies to children returning to school. If they have had diarrhoea or vomiting, they should also remain at home until 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped, in order to help reduce further spread in the community.
“Hand washing is essential to prevent the spread of this norovirus. Do not rely on using alcohol hand gels because these do not work for norovirus.”
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