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31 July, 2010
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Published: 10 March, 2010
A SMALL number of norovirus cases have been confirmed at Caithness General Hospital, it has emerged. A spokesperson for NHS Highland yesterday told the Caithness Courier that "staff are managing the situation and infection control measures are in place" to tackle the virus which is also known as the winter vomiting bug.
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"Norovirus is circulating in the community and it is important that people only visit if necessary and they should not come into hospital if they have had symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea or been in contact with someone with these symptoms in the last 48 hours," the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, a busy accident-and-emergency unit at the Wick hospital yesterday was not caused by an outbreak of diarrhoea or vomiting, according to the general manager. Sheena Craig, of North Highland Community Health Partnership, said: "The accident-and-emergency department at the hospital was busy, but this was not related to diarrhoea and vomiting. Staff are coping." Patients were attending the department for a number of different and unrelated reasons, and there was no pressure on beds. It is just part of the natural fluctuation of activity levels at A&E," the NHS Highland spokesperson added. Raigmore Hospital in Inverness continues to suffer with an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug which was first detected in mid-February. Patients and staff have been affected and some wards closed to new admissions. A number of procedures have also been cancelled. Urgent cases are still being admitted, however. Figures issued by NHS Highland yesterday revealed three new cases among patients, and five new cases in staff at Raigmore. Most of the 125 patients and 142 staff who have had the infection have now recovered. Consultant in public health Dr Ken Oates said: "It's extremely difficult to halt the spread of this infection within a hospital when it is present in the community as well. "Patients and visitors are coming into hospital all the time and may be carrying the virus. "Two out of the three new cases came in with symptoms. While it is sometimes unavoidable to admit patients with the virus, visitors should use their own judgement and only visit if it is necessary." While unpleasant, the virus rarely gives cause for concern and people usually recover within 48 to 72 hours. Most people experiencing the symptoms do not need medical help but anyone with blood in their diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain or diarrhoea that has lasted for 48 hours should contact NHS 24 on 08454 242424 for advice. 
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