Patients and staff hit by vomiting bug at hospital

Published on Thursday 25 February 2010 20:39

NEARLY 150 staff and patients at the biggest hospital in the Highlands have been struck down by a winter vomiting bug.

NHS Highland said yesterday 69 patients and 77 staff had now been affected by the virus at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, with 63 still showing symptoms.

Five wards are affected with two closed to new admissions.

Infection control measures are in place.

Patients with the virus are being kept separate from others and staff are to remain at home until symptom-free for 48 hours.

The health board said there is no specific treatment for winter vomiting – it is left to run its course, which usually takes two to three days.

Una Lyon, lead nurse for Raigmore Hospital, said: "While we still have some patients who are developing symptoms, the situation remains contained and stable, and some of our patients and staff who were affected are now symptom-free and recovering."

She said deep cleaning in wards was continuing.

"It is important to note that this is widespread and we would ask everyone to be vigilant when it comes to hand and personal hygiene," she added.

She pointed out that the last national Hand Hygiene audit showed NHS Highland at 93 per cent, above the government's target of 90 per cent, but said they "will not be complacent".

She appealed to the public to visit only if absolutely necessary and said the hospital would prefer if children did not come on to the wards.

Winter vomiting can be spread in a number of ways, including by touching contaminated surfaces or objects, consuming contaminated food or water, poor hand hygiene after using the toilet and breathing in the air around someone who has just vomited.