Ward closed by suspected outbreak of vomiting bug

STAFF at UHG were forced to close a ward at the hospital yesterday following a suspected outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.The suspected outbreak of Norovirus Infection in St Anthony’s Ward has meant that the ward is now closed to new admissions, and, according to a HSE spokesperson last night, the situation is being monitored on a daily basis.An Outbreak Control Committee has been formed and hospital management and staff have put in place measures to reduce, in so far as possible, risk of the virus spreading to other patients and to other areas/departments within the Hospital.As is common at this time of the year, there is an increased incidence of vomiting and diarroheal illness, suggestive of Norovirus, in the community. Norovirus is easily spread from person to person and can, therefore, cause major problems when people bring the infection into the hospital setting.The infection is very...