Ward reopens

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Staff dealt with several cases of the norovirus
Bignold Wing at Caithness General Hospital in Wick reopened this morning following a period of closure while staff dealt with several cases of diarrhoea and vomiting. Samples confirmed that norovirus was present on the ward.
The ward was closed to new admissions over the weekend, with visiting also restricted, to allow staff to protect the health, privacy and dignity of patients as well as manage the outbreak.
Pauline Craw, Rural General Hospital Manager for NHS Highland, explained that as there had been over 48 hours since patients were symptomatic staff were able to deep clean the ward allowing it to reopen.
She said: “I’m pleased to say that both wards have been able to reopen and normal service has resumed at the hospital.
“I would like to thank all the staff for working incredibly hard through this difficult period and also thank members of the public for their understanding about our restriction on visiting.”
While both wards have been able to open norovirus is still very prevalent in the community.
The virus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, spreads in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or vomited and is extremely infectious. It is important that everyone plays their part in reducing outbreak risks.
Dr Jonty Mills, Consultant Microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: “By restricting visiting and stopping admissions and discharges, we have had a better ability to limit the spread of the virus. Only patients medically fit enough for discharge to their own home have been discharged during the outbreak, in line with national policy from Health Protection Scotland.
“We would also ask that people do not come to the hospital/s to visit if they have, or live with someone who has, had any vomiting or diarrhoea within the previous 48hrs.
“Please wait until you have been clear for 48 hours as you may still be contagious even if you feel well.
There is no specific treatment for a norovirus infection and it is not usually necessary to visit a doctor. The best course of action is to stay at home and to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. People should also adhere to strict hand washing techniques to reduce the spread of the virus.
The public can help to minimise the spread by following some simple rules:-
· Do not visit a hospital if you or someone you live with has symptoms. If you have a hospital appointment, please get in touch and, where appropriate, your appointment can be rescheduled.
Wait until you have been clear of symptoms for 48 hours, as you may still be contagious, even if you feel well.
· Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating.
· If you visit someone in hospital, don't sit on their bed and keep the number of visitors to a minimum at any one time. Never touch dressings, drips, or other equipment around the bed.
For more information about hand hygiene visit the Scottish National Hand Hygiene Campaign website www.washyourhandsofthem.com

Norovirus occurs all year round, particularly every winter, in the community, and is unrelated to hospital cleanliness.

· There is no vaccine.
· The virus continually changes and people don’t develop lasting immunity, so you can catch it more than once in a season.
· Norovirus can survive for days on any surface – including exposed food and wrapped food items.

Advice to the public:

· Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, is a highly contagious virus which causes vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
· The first sign of norovirus is usually a sudden sick feeling, followed by forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
· Symptoms usually last a couple of days, although this can be longer in elderly people.
· People are most likely to spread infection when they have symptoms and for up to 48 hours after your symptoms have gone.
· It is more serious and even more easily spread among people who are already ill.