Second hospital hit by virus

The virus has spread to 12 hospital wards

A number of patients and members of staff have suffered from gastric flu at Dykebar hospital in Paisley.

Twelve wards at the hospital, which treats patients with mental illness, have been closed.

Experts have identified the bug as small round square virus.

It is a variation on the small round structured virus which is thought to have contributed to the deaths of two elderly patients at Perth Royal Infirmary earlier this week.

An outbreak control team is monitoring the situation

Initially some 133 people were affected at Dykebar, but a spokesman said an outbreak control team had met on Friday afternoon and there were now just 10 patients still with the virus.

All the patients were said to be displaying "mild to moderate" symptoms.

The spokesman said: "The sharp decline in numbers is because those who have been affected by the illness are kept under observation for a further 48 hours after their symptoms cease and only then are they given the all clear.

"The outbreak control team will be monitoring the situation over the weekend and another outbreak control meeting will be convened on Tuesday 1 October."

'Common infection'

NHS Tayside said a further 11 people at the Perth hospital had been affected by the illness - taking the total number of cases to 59.

Officials believe the bug came into the Earn Ward, a 24-bed elderly care assessment unit, from outside the affected wards.

Dr Mike Roworth, NHS Tayside's public health medicine consultant, said: "While the appearance of this infection in another ward at PRI is naturally of concern to us, it is not surprising given that this kind of viral infection appears to be very common in the community at present.

"There is no evidence, however, that this infection has spread to Earn Ward from another part of the hospital and it appears it may have come into the ward from the community.

Legionella found

"We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and staff at PRI are working very hard to limit the potential for spread of infection."

The virus outbreak at both hospitals means:

• As many as 103 patients and 30 staff were affected by the virus at Dykebar hospital

• 59 people are affected by the virus at Perth Royal Infirmary

• 6 new cases have been reported on Friday at PRI and those infected staff have been sent home.

A member of staff was confirmed as suffering from suspected Legionnaires' disease at the Perth hospital earlier this week, but is recovering.

The traces of Legionella were found in three areas of the hospital after routine testing.

The virus symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps and usually improve within 48 hours.

There is no specific treatment for the symptoms other than taking in plenty liquids to prevent dehydration.