CUH ward shut by bug
A 24-bed trauma ward in Cork University Hospital (CUH) was closed to admissions after patients were struck down with the Winter Vomiting Bug, it emerged tonight.
Some patients in the hospital had scheduled surgery postponed after the orthopaedic ward was shut due to an outbreak of the highly infectious condition.
A number of patients in the ward, which caters for patients awaiting surgery after accidents, are believed to be infected with the Winter Vomiting Bug.
“The significance of having to close this ward is that patients requiring this type of surgery can only be treated in CUH,” said Tony Long, deputy general manager, at CUH group.
“With such a reduction in the number of beds available to admit these patients, the impact on other services throughout the hospital has been quite significant.”
Mr Long said patients were being cared for in other wards where possible.
But he said a number of planned operations had to be postponed.
The hospital said the virus was highly infectious and was difficult to control with daily interaction between people.
Mr Long has appealed to anyone suffering diarrhoea or vomiting to wait 72-hours before visiting anyone in hospital.
He said visitors have also been restricted to two next-of-kin adults only and co-operation by the public was vital.
Dr Dan Corcoran, a consultant medical microbiologist with the Southern Health Board, said: “We are appealing to people to stay away from the hospital if at all possible.
“This infection has serious repercussions on the day to day working of the hospital and causes disruption to services as we have seen with this particular incidence and the close of Ward GB Orthopaedic.”
The virus usually causes short attacks of abdominal pain which may be followed by diarrhoea or vomiting. It can be debilitating in small children or in order people who are already sick.
The hospital advised that anyone affected by the virus should drink plenty of fluids, maintain strict hygiene procedures due to the bug’s contagious nature and avoid visiting hospitals.
The Southern Health Board advised people to contact their doctors if their symptoms persisted.
