Virus ‘at Record Levels’ ; Hospitals Face Disruption As Cases of Vomiting Bug Soar

By LIZ GIBSON

HOSPITALS and care homes face widespread disruption as cases of a highly infectious illness hit an all-time high.

The number of reported cases of the norovirus or winter vomiting bug in Scotland is four times higher than it was ten years ago and numbers are expected to keep climbing.

Experts say the rise could paralyse hospitals and care homes as wards must be closed for a deep clean after every occurrence of the bug.

In 2006 there were 2,324 reported cases of the virus, an increase of 50 per cent on the 1,552 reported in 2005.

And as most people with the virus do not go to the doctor, the real number is likely to be much higher.

Norovirus is highly infectious and is passed through the air as well as in contaminated food so it can sweep through hospitals, care homes and cruise liners quickly and with devastating effect.

Symptoms rarely last more than two days and it is seldom fatal, but if an area is not well cleaned, the bug can linger and cause a fresh outbreak.

Last year the luxury cruise liner the Black Prince was held in Leith for two days for deep cleaning after more than 100 passengers caught the virus.

Leading microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington said: ‘This virus is dramatic because it causes projectile vomiting in many cases when you get it you know you’ve got it.

‘Most gastroenteritis is spread through food, but the norovirus is mostly spread through the air, so you can pick it up by being in the same room as someone who is ill. For this reason outbreaks tend to be very big.’ Professor Pennington added: ‘It has a big impact. Most big hospitals have at least two outbreaks a year and this is increasing.

‘When that happens they have to close a ward to have a deep clean, meaning they have less capacity to cope with patients and waiting lists are pushed up.’ Professor Pennington said it was not clear why norovirus is spreading so widely, but it could be mutating to become more ‘efficient’ at infection.

He said there was very little individuals could do to protect themselves from the virus, adding: ‘ It’s very difficult to study in the lab as you can’t grow it.’ ‘If you feel ill and are involved in the preparation of food, it’s very important you stay off work as it can be spread through food.

‘All you can really do if you get it is remember that it passes quickly and you are not going to die from it.

‘I wouldn’t say grin and bear it, as you won’t feel like grinning, but you do just have to bear it.’

(c) 2007 Daily Mail; London (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.