Two wards at hospital shut after novovirus outbreak

● Queen Elizabeth not admitting new patients and issues warning to visitors

Two wards at the largest hospital in Scotland have stopped admitting new patients after an outbreak of norovirus.

The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow is not admitting new patients to the wards at the Langlands Unit, a statement from the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board (NHSGGC) confirmed.

Norovirus, also known as the “winter vomiting bug”, is the most common form of stomach bug in the UK, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The health service said the virus has become “more prevalent” across the whole of Scotland over the past few weeks with an increase in cases at the hospital.

Those suffering should not visit their friends and family in hospital, the statement added. It confirms all appropriate infection control measures are in place.

Dr Linda de Caestecker, NHSGGC’S director of public health, said: “Norovirus is highly contagious and is transmitted by contact with contaminated surfaces, an infected person, or consumption of contaminated food or water.

“The symptoms of norovirus are very distinctive – people often report a sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

“Most people with norovirus will make a full recovery in one to two days. It is important to keep hydrated – especially children and the elderly.

“Good hand hygiene using soap and water is important to stop the spread of the virus.”

The super-hospital has been hit by a series of scandals – and a public inquiry has been launched after safety concerns were raised.

A 10-year-old boy died at the facility earlier this year after contracting a bug linked to a pigeon droppings outbreak.

And in August, two children with cancer were allegedly struck down by rare bugs linked to the hospital’s water supply.

Ahealthprotectionscotland investigation report states the first child was infected in 2016, with a total of 25 cases found by September 2018.

The investigation will determine how vital issues relating to ventilation and other key building systems occurred and what steps can be taken to prevent these being repeated in future projects.