Winter vomiting bug hits hospital
Wards closed at the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary as hospital is hit by the bug for the second time in 2 months.
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Two more hospitals close to new admissions
More than 120 staff and patients from hospitals in Dumfries have now been affected by the winter vomiting bug.
Castle Douglas hospital has been closed to new admissions and transfers, after 15 staff and 5 patients were affected by the bug.
Annan hospital has also been closed after a patient showed symptoms of norovirus.
The latest information from Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary shows that wards 6 and 14 remain closed to new admissions and transfers, while ward 12 is due to re-open.
A total of 65 patients and 39 staff have reported symptoms since the outbreak began last week.
Norovirus update: Castle Douglas and Annan hospitals both hit by bug
Two more hospitals in Dumfries and Galloway have been hit by the winter vomiting virus.
Castle Douglas hospital and Annan hospital are both now closed to new admissions, following an outbreak of norovirus.
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Norovirus at DGRI: Update
Following an Outbreak Control Meeting at the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, the latest situation regarding the norovirus outbreak:
- Ward 6 - Closed to new admissions and transfers
- Ward 14 - Closed to new admissions and transfers
- Wards 7, 10 and 12 are operating normally.
A total of 55 patients and 31 staff have reported symptoms since the outbreak began last week.
Full report: Norovirus outbreak at Dumfries Infirmary
Three quarters of a million people in the UK could be affected by an outbreak of norovirus this winter according to the Health Protection Agency.
The announcement comes as Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary fight to control their third outbreak of the winter vomiting bug in eight months.
Kim Ingles reports:
Featured in this report are Senior Infection Control Nurse, Natalie Oakes and Infection Control Manager, Elaine Ross.
Third outbreak in 8 months at DGRI
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary are fighting to control their third outbreak of the winter vomiting bug in eight months.
The Infection Control Team are doing all they can to contain this latest outbreak which closed three wards at Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary and has affected 48 patients and 30 members of staff.
In May, 150 people fell ill here as a result of noro virus, in November, a total of 50 were affected.
Natalie Oakes, the Senior Infection Control Nurse at Dumfries Infirmary, explains why norovirus is hard to control:
Signs and symptoms of the vomiting bug
The Health Protection Agency has reported an increase in cases of the Winter vomiting disease. The number's usually highest after Christmas.
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Update: Norovirus hits D&G hospital
NHS Dumfries and Galloway say they are implementing full and robust outbreak control measures as a result of suspected norovirus or "winter vomiting bug" at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
Following a meeting this morning, the wards currently affected are listed below:
- Ward 9 - remains closed to new admissions and transfers
- Ward 12 - will re-open for normal service this afternoon( December 12th)
- Ward 18 - is anticipated to re-open for normal service tomorrowafternoon( December 13th)
- Ward 14 - Closed to new admissions and transfers
Currently a total of 48 patients and 27 staff have been affected since the outbreak began last week.
The advice to members of the public wishing to visit the closed wards is as follows:
Routine visiting to the three closed wards( 9,12, and18) is suspended and members of the public seeking to visit relatives and friends in hospital are advised not to travel whilst the outbreakmeasures are ongoing.
– Dr Martin Connor, Consultant Microbiologist and Lead Infection Control Doctor"It is apparent that as we are firmly in the winter period, the "winter vomiting bug" is being experienced throughout Dumfries and Galloway and is affecting members of the public and patients living in the community.
"The current outbreak reflects very much what is being experienced elsewhere in the area.
"We cannot emphasise enough how much the support of the general public in maintaining good hygiene practice and in complying with the restrictions in place is appreciated by NHS Dumfries and Galloway."
More than fifty cases of norovirus confirmed
More than fifty patients and staff have become ill with the winter vomiting bug at the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.
Three wards remain closed, after the outbreak was confirmed on Friday.
Infection control procedures are in place.
Visitors are being asked to stay away, if they have any symptoms.
Five wards closed
Five wards at the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary remain closed because of an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug. Hospital authorites have warned that the wards are closed to all visitors whilst the situation is dealt with.
The Outbreak Control team is now monitoring the situation. Anyone displaying the symptoms of the bug is asked NOT to go to the hospital, and contact their GP instead.