Winter Vomiting Bug Forces Closure Of 20 Hospital Wards

Jan 6 2008 By Grace Macaskill

Vomiting Bug Closes Down 20 Hospital Wards

TWENTY-TWO hospital wards were closed across Scotland yesterday as the winter vomiting bug outbreak escalated.

More than 10,000 people a week are going down with the virus and doctors warn it will be "impossible" to stop it spreading when youngsters return to school tomorrow.

Hospitals in Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh have shut wards to new admissions as the norovirus tightens its grip on the nation.

Dr Mary Church, a GP in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said: "It will not be possible to completely contain it but parents can help by keeping their children away from others for 48 hours after the symptoms disappear.

"It is important to make sure basic hygiene rules are followed regarding handwashing and the preparation of food. We are also advising people not to eat solids in the first 24 hours of the virus but to make sure they take in plenty of clear fluids."

The bug causes vomiting and diarrhoea, which can last up to three days.

Wards were closed at hospitals in Fraserburgh, Ayr, Paisley, Prestwick, Dumbarton, Stirling and Edinburgh.

Five in Glasgow were also hit, the worst being Victoria Infirmary, where five wards were closed.

Families have been warned not to visit patients if they feel ill or have sick relatives.

The Royal College of GPs yesterday advised sufferers to stay at home for 48 hours after symptoms disappear for fear of further infection.

Professor Steve Field said: "Surgeries and hospitals have been swamped with people wanting advice.

"The best thing they can do is to stay at home, drink lots of fluid and take paracetamol."

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where one ward has been closed, said: "There are a lot of bugs and not all vomiting and diarrhoea sickness is caused by the norovirus so we urge patients not to panic."

Last night the Scottish Government said: "The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing is kept fully informed and we will continue to monitor the situation closely."

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