Norovirus closes wards at Ninewells Hospital

TWO wards at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital have been closed to new admissions following a suspected outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said wards one and two at the area’s main acute hospital had been closed to new patients following several cases of vomiting and diarrhoea thought to be caused by norovirus, more commonly known as the winter vomiting bug.

She said: “The wards have been closed to new patients as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the virus and all appropriate infection control measures have been put in place. Winter vomiting is extremely common at this time of year in the wider community.”

She added: “To help us minimise the spread of these bugs, we ask people who may be feeling unwell or experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea not to visit their friends and family members who are in hospital. We would urge them to stay away until at least 48 hours after they are free of all symptoms.”