HEALTH chiefs have urged anyone with symptoms of norovirus to stay at home to avoid infecting other people amid a rise in cases of the winter vomiting bug.
Three hospitals across Scotland have been forced to close wards this week following outbreaks of norovirus among patients.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran has experienced the largest number of cases, with 10 patients in one ward falling sick.
Another six patients – three in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and three in NHS Highland – also fell ill after sharing a ward.
Health Protection Scotland said measures, such as ward closures, were being implemented to curtail the spread of norovirus and prevent a more serious outbreak from developing.
The number of cases picked up by hospital laboratories was also up compared to last year, with 1,272 cases detected in the week ending November 8 – 16 per cent higher than the same period in 2014.
The bug causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea and is extremely infectious, with outbreaks most common in busy, enclosed environments such as hospitals, hotels and cruise ships.
Although known as the winter vomiting bug it occurs all year round, with peak levels so far this year recorded during the first week in April.
Health Protection Scotland has issued a plea to anyone suffering from norovirus symptoms to stay at home to limit the spread of the bug, which threatens to pile pressure on the health service.
Lisa Ritchie, Nurse Consultant, Infection Control at HPS, said: “Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that causes outbreaks in the community, healthcare and care settings. It becomes particularly virulent in the winter when people stay indoors for longer and in larger groups.
“To help reduce the risk of outbreaks in hospitals, care settings and the wider community, we are again asking members of the public who think they have norovirus to stay at home until at least 48 hours after any symptoms have stopped.”
HPS said it will continue to monitor the situation on a weekly basis and will support NHS Boards as required.
A major outbreak in June 2014 forced NHS Lanarkshire to close its Accident and Emergency department at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said everything would be done to limit the impact of norovirus on the health service.
She said: “The number of cases generally increases as we move into winter, although the timing and scale of this varies from year to year.
“We will continue to monitor Norovirus outbreaks closely, taking all steps to minimise its impact on both those who use and work in our hospitals.
“Everyone can do their bit to stop the spread of norovirus by observing good hand hygiene, particularly when visiting hospitals.”
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