Seven wards shut after outbreaks of winter vomiting bug

OUTBREAKS of a winter vomiting virus have closed seven wards in hospitals across Scotland, leading to warnings that stretched health services may struggle to cope.

Health Protection Scotland confirmed yesterday that norovirus had led to the closures at six hospitals in four different NHS boards, and said that this marked the start of the winter vomiting bug season.

Norovirus generally causes mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea but can be more serious among the elderly and people who are already unwell. It is highly infectious and can live for four days on untreated surfaces.

The closures follow news that hospital-borne infections caused by the Clostridium Difficile bacteria are on the rise, while the situation at Hairmyres Hospital, in East Kilbride, has been branded “totally unacceptable” by the Scottish Government after a record number of patients overwhelmed its resources last week.

Scottish Labour’s Health spokesman Neil Findlay MSP said: “The NHS in Scotland is already facing increasing strain under the SNP and the norovirus season being declared early will only exacerbate this.

“With seven wards already being closed due to the virus we must ensure that our hospitals are properly staffed and resourced, yet confidence is being lost in Alex Neil to deliver. The Health Secretary must ensure that appropriate procedures are being put in place and that he finally gets a grip on the staff and funding problems being felt by our NHS before it spirals out of control.”

Health Protection Scotland said it would continue to monitor the situation on a weekly basis and will support NHS boards as required to ensure that any disruption to healthcare services is minimised.

Dr Evonne Curran, infection control nurse consultant at HPS, said: “Norovirus is a highly-infectious virus that causes outbreaks in the community, healthcare and care settings every year.

“This is about the time of year when norovirus season usually starts. Letting everyone know that norovirus season has started enables preparedness plans to be put in to action.

“As norovirus is so infectious, it is important that everyone plays their part in reducing outbreak risks.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Norovirus is a common virus affecting all age groups. Although highly infectious, contagious and unpleasant, most people make a full recovery within two to three days with no complications. The number of cases generally increases as we move into winter, although the timing and scale of this varies from year to year.

“We will continue to monitor Norovirus outbreaks closely, taking all steps to minimise its impact.”

Source The Herald Scotland