Ward closed at Inverness hospital after norovirus outbreak

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 16/10/2012 14:31

A MEDICAL ward at the main hospital in the Highlands has been closed to new admissions and visitors after a suspected outbreak of norovirus, the winter vomiting bug

Ward 2A at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness was closed on Monday after 14 patients suffered from diarrhoea and vomiting.

Nine patients are said to be still experiencing symptoms.

A spokeswoman for NHS Highland said: “Initial testing has indicated that the symptoms are caused by norovirus although further testing is being done. The virus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, spreads in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or vomited and is extremely difficult to contain.”

Dr Adam Brown, a consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: “We know that norovirus is out there in the community and it is likely it has been brought into the hospital.

“As well as restricting visiting to the affected ward we are also asking people not to come to the hospital to visit if they have had any vomiting or diarrhoea within the previous 48hrs. By doing this we will be able to limit the spread as much as possible.

“Hospital staff will of course be very happy to talk to visitors on the phone so they can get updates on how their relatives are.”