Budapest hospital closed due to epidemic

Kútvölgyi Hospital, located in Budapest's District XII, is closed to visitors will admit no new patients after an epidemic broke out with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea on Friday, writes hirszerzo.hu. Around 70 patients have contracted the virus since Friday and most are reported to be recovering. Three patients and a hospital employee were diagnosed with the same illness on Monday.

Hospital Director Tamás Palicz said the symptoms of the illness go away within three days. The hospital will remain closed to visitors until 72 hours after the last patient recovers, which will probably be in around a week. Some departments may make an exception, for example, obstetrics and intensive care, where no infections have been reported so far.

Tests to determine the cause of the illness are underway. The National Public Health and Medical Officers Service (ÁNTSZ) has reported similar cases from other hospitals. Viral epidemics are not uncommon at this time of year, and hospital patients, whose immune system is generally weak and are in contact with each other, are more prone to infection, Palicz said.

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