Hospitals across the UK might be wise to follow in the footsteps of one institution in Scotland, which is doing all it can to restrict an outbreak of the Norovirus.
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary is fighting its third bout of the bug in the last eight months, with the winter vomiting infection once again taking hold on its wards, reports ITV News.
The latest incident has affected 48 patients and 30 members of staff, many of whom have been feeling ill and vomiting on a regular basis. Bosses will be concerned that the case comes just a month after 50 people were hit by the Norovirus at the Scottish hospital, while in May a huge outbreak led to 150 individuals falling ill.
Perhaps the best way to try and prevent the Norovirus manifesting itself on a hospital's wards is to make effective use of the latest cleaning products and train staff so they realise the importance of doing so on a regular basis.
That could be just what the Infection Control Team at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary are doing, as the news source noted they are now doing all they can to prevent the bug from spreading any further.
Official figures from the Health Protection Agency show as many as 750,000 people in the UK could be affected by a wave of the Norovirus across the country this winter. Those in hospitals and other enclosed environments are most at risk of contracting the bug.
Dr Martin Connor, consultant microbiologist and lead infection control doctor, told the Galloway Gazette: "The current outbreak reflects very much what is being experienced elsewhere in the area. We cannot emphasise strongly enough how much the support of the general public in maintaining good hygiene practice and in complying with the restrictions in place is appreciated."
Putting off visits to hospitals and ensuring hands are washed thoroughly in each ward are just two of the ways the public can help to restrict the outbreak of the Norovirus.
