Norovirus outbreak

[POSTMAN]

Dear Colleagues

Norovirus Stomach Bug Outbreak - Currently sweeping the UK:

The HS&E Department has received enquiries regarding news reports on the Norovirus outbreaks. Below is summary advice to Safety Representatives for onward communication with members and discussions with local Management. The matter has been raised with Royal Mail and BT.



Doctors have that warned thousands of people across the UK are suffering from norovirus, which causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea. The virus is easily transmitted from one person to another by touching an infected person (including their vody fluids) or through contaminated food or drink or touching contaminated surfaces or objects. It is able to survive in the environment for many days and outbreaks

tend to affect more than 50% of susceptible people. Anyone is susceptible as immunity to the virus is not long-lasting. It can be difficult to control because it is so easily spread but the best way is to disinfect contaminated areas.



Advice issued by Dr Steve Field Chairman of the Royal College of GPs states:-

Drink Plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration,
Keep Cool,
Take Paracetamol,
Stay at home to avoid spreading the infection to others,
Don't go to the GP - keep away,
Don't go to Hospital A&E departments - keep away,
Wash your hands regularly and practise good hygiene to reduce the risk of the illness spreading and avoid handling food,
Those who have been infected should be isolated for 48 hours or in other words stay home for two days after the symptoms have cleared up and gone away,
Those worried, particularly in the case of young children or elderly people should ring the GP surgery for advice,
There is no treatment other than to let the illness run its course.
A Copy of a communications issued by Dr Su Wang Royal Mail Group Head of Health is attached.



BT have informed us that they are not issuing any internal communications at this stage but is prepared to review the situation based on the growing level of concerns being picked up by the CWU. Dr Paul Litchfield BT Head of Health has stated that the Virus crops up every winter and does not present a major heath problem for most people and is potentially dangerous for the very young & very old or those with chronic disease but for most people it presents just a short lived spell of unpleasantness. However, Dr Litchfield has stressed the importance of good personal hygiene which helps with a whole range of communicable diseases from food poisoning to flu.



The public are being referred to the following information links:-


Health Protection Agency Advice Link: http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics ... us/faq.htm

NHS Direct Advice Link: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/ar ... cleId=1728

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[L Tommo]

Im looking for the small print where it says "SIT IN YOUR SCREWS OFFICE ALL DAY COUGHING AND FARTING" (if poss?)

Now i would take that advice like a shot or a shite...




I will get me pampers!!!

[madelin4]

So royal mail will be getting there stages ready for this one!!!!!!Stage 1 Stage 2 then OUT.

[Sparx71]

Have just been given a Stage 2 triggered by being off for 5 days with the Norovirus.I was 2 weeks away from clearing my stage 1 and in 18 years service have averaged 4 days sick per year...I am really looking forward to the next time they ask me for a favour....

[fleecy]

I had 4 days off with this virus, my stage 1 was not issued as it was a national epidemic, you should get your union rep 2 take it further

[Sparx71]

Took my rep in with me,he mentioned how harsh it would be to issue a stage 2,given I caught a national virus and my 4 day sickness average.Did no good.Line managers are told from Area managers to give all stages,only at stage 3 will any previous statements be taken into consideration.One fella at our office had a clear sick record for 20 years service,and was given his first ever stage warning for having bowel cancer.....

[DGP1]

This is going to end very badly at some stage because some postie is going to crack and beat a manager to a pulp (or maybe worse) and all because of these two :cfo :lfo bullying people.