A NEONATAL unit at Ipswich Hospital has reopened to newborns today after being closed for several days when a baby contracted a virus in the ward.One of the babies on the Special Care Baby Unit, for babies who need extra care, was found on Friday to be infected with the rotavirus, which causes sicknesses and diarrhoea.
A NEONATAL unit at Ipswich Hospital has reopened to newborns today after being closed for several days when a baby contracted a virus in the ward.
One of the babies on the Special Care Baby Unit, for babies who need extra care, was found on Friday to be infected with the rotavirus, which causes sicknesses and diarrhoea.
The closure of the unit meant pregnant women expected to give birth prematurely were sent to other hospitals - the nearest is in Portsmouth.
On discovery of the infection the baby was placed in isolation in the ward.
A decision was taken to continue caring for a further 18 babies on the ward.
A spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital today said the unit has been reopened to new admissions following a risk assessment.
She was unable to say whether the baby was still suffering from the rotavirus.
She said: “The baby is doing as well as can be expected.”
Rotavirus is similar to norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting virus.
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