Elderly wards close due to vomiting bug

Rodney Edwards • Published 7 Apr 2011 09:30 0 Comments

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AN OUTBREAK of vomiting and diarrhoea at the Erne Hospital this week has resulted in the temporary closure of two wards.

It's understood that apart from the stroke unit in ward nine, temporarily no new admissions are to be made in ward nine. It has also been decided that no new admissions are to be made in ward eight either, where there are also a number of patients with vomiting and diarrhoea.

The Western Trust has confirmed there has been an increase in vomiting and diarrhoea at the hospital, particularly in the Care of Older People wards.

It has been caused by the winter vomiting virus, also known as Norovirus, which they say has been confirmed in a number of patients.

A spokesperson said: "This virus is common in the community at this time of year and it is a short-term, unpleasant illness, with most people getting better within a few days. The Trust's Infection Prevention and Control team is continuing to provide advice. Increased infection control measures have been taken."

While further meetings are being held to review the situation on an ongoing basis with a view to reopening the wards to further admissions, the Western Trust are asking people to "avoid visiting the hospital if they are feeling unwell".

The spokesperson added: "Particularly if they have diarrhoea and/or vomiting; have coughs, colds or flu-like symptoms; or have any infectious condition such as chickenpox or mumps. Those who are visiting are asked to thoroughly wash their hands before and after visiting. Visitors should visit only one patient whilst at the hospital, refrain from sitting on hospital beds and not move among patients and from ward to ward when visiting."

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 07 Apr 11

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