Bug closes six hospital wards

Six wards in a leading hospital in the North have been closed down after an outbreak of a vomiting and diarrhoea bug hit patients and staff, it was announced today.

The closures amount to almost a fifth of all wards in Ulster Hospital at Dundonald on the outskirts of Belfast.

There are also restrictions on visiting patients in some wards.

Thirty three patients and 14 staff are currently affected by the Norovirus, said a spokeswoman.

Wards including those caring for the elderly, plastic surgery and orthopaedics have been closed.

Hospital microbiologist Hugh Webb said the situation was being reviewed twice daily, and admitted the number of staff affected had put the hospital under “enormous pressure”.

The South Eastern Trust said there had been a increased incidence of vomiting and diarrhoea reported in its healthcare facilities across the trust in recent weeks.

Staff at the Ulster has implemented strict infection control measures including restricted visiting in some wards.

A spokeswoman said: “Members of the public attending the Emergency department should advise staff if they are suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.

“We would ask that individuals visiting patients in our facilities avoid doing so if they have vomiting and diarrhoea , cold or flu symptoms.”