Concerns over action taken to deal with new vomiting bug strain

CONCERNS have been raised about a new strain of the winter vomiting virus affecting some patients in Scotland.

Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson said he was worried about the emergence of the virulent strain of norovirus, known as G11.4.

He said he was particularly concerned that it might be difficult to track because ministers had admitted they did not routinely request or collect typing data on different strains of the bug.

Figures from Health Protection Scotland have shown that the number of wards closed as a result of norovirus had risen from 30 to 31 in the past week.

The total number of patients affected has also risen, from 243 to 257.

Dr Simpson said: "I am deeply concerned that the number of hospitals affected and wards closed as a result of winter vomiting bug is continuing to rise. We need to see the Scottish Government getting much more serious about fighting infection. There is a growing realisation that norovirus can be fatal for those with underlying health problems, and the conditions that allow this bug to flourish also leave patients exposed to other infections, such as C difficile.

"That is why it is so disappointing that ministers are refusing to create a national reference laboratory that will help us to keep track of the bug."

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The HAI (hospital acquired infestion) task force considered whether there was a need to establish a national reference lab for norovirus and concluded there was currently no public health benefit in doing so.

"However, guidance for dealing with norovirus is clear ,and good hand hygiene, coupled with scrupulous standards of cleanliness, is key to tackling this bug. These measures are also crucial for addressing other infections.

"Norovirus is particularly infections and very unpleasant, but is fortunately rarely fatal. It's a common winter illness and can spread rapidly in any environment where people are gathered."