St. Mary's General Hospital is adding some additional precautions for visitors due to an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea symptoms on the General Medicine floor.

Three staff and four, mostly elderly, patients are reportedly exhibiting the symptoms of an 'enteric' outbreak, though officials say it is too early to know exactly what they're dealing with.

Kim Siegel at St. Mary's General Hospital says "If [visitors] don't need to come, we recommend that you don't come, if you do need to, there's no restrictions. We ask that you stop at the desk when you arrive so that you can get appropriate instruction about how to protect yourself and to protect your loved one."

All visitors to the east end of the hospital's fifth floor are being asked to:

  • report to the nursing station before visiting
  • wear a gown and gloves before entering a patient room
  • use anti-bacterial hand gel before entering and after leaving

The affected patients on the 20 bed unit have been isolated and it has also been closed to any new admissions or transfers.

Tests are underway and the situation is being closely monitored. The hospital says Waterloo Region's Public Health Department has also been notified.