Outbreak of sickness bug at Aberdeen hospital
ARI ward shut as patients catch virus
Published:
HEALTH chiefs have been forced to close a ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary following an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.
The move came just days after a damning report on the Aberdeen hospital by hygiene inspectors.
NHS Grampian confirmed two patients being treated in ward 36 at the Aberdeen hospital had the virus.
Seven other patients and seven members of staff at the Aberdeen hospital were also having tests after suffering from symptoms.
But bosses at the Aberdeen hospital claimed levels of cleanliness had not been a factor in the outbreak.
An NHS Grampian spokesman said: “The norovirus is widely present in communities at this time of year and we suspect it was brought in by a visitor to the ward.
“It is a virus that is quite common, particularly in winter.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation and will take stock on Monday, but we are not going to take new patients on that ward until it has been symptom-free for 48 hours.
“The usual control measures are in place, including increased hand washing, bleach washing all flat surfaces, where feasible keeping infected patients together and asking visitors not to visit when they or their immediate family is unwell.”
An Aberdeen bacteriologist has warned the Aberdeen hospital’s poor standard of cleanliness could lead to a surge in potentially deadly illnesses.
Aberdeen University-based Professor Hugh Pennington said: “We know that the norovirus is a very tough virus and is quite difficult to get rid of, even with the most rigorous standards of cleanliness.”
