Wards closed due to vomiting bug

One ward at Stirling Royal Infirmary has been shut to admissions

An outbreak of Norovirus has led to the closure of two wards to new admissions at Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary and one at Stirling Royal Infirmary.

NHS Forth Valley is urging sufferers of the vomiting bug to avoid the area's hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes.

There is no specific treatment for the short-lived virus, which causes sickness and diarrhoea.

The authority said infection control measures were in place to minimise the risk of the virus spreading further.

Dr Anne Maree Wallace, director of public health, said: "We are receiving increasing reports of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting resulting from the Norovirus infection.

"This illness is very common during the colder months but this year, in line with the rest of Scotland, outbreaks have continued for longer.

We also strongly advise people with the infection not to visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes and to stay away from work or school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours Dr Anne Maree Wallace

"Although Norovirus does not cause serious problems in healthy individuals, it does cause problems in hospitals where it can spread rapidly."

The authority said people who succumbed to the bug who were otherwise fit and healthy would make a full recovery without medical intervention.

If symptoms persist or get worse, patients should phone NHS 24, the 24-hour nurse-led health advice service, or ask for a telephone consultation with their GP.

Dr Wallace added: "We also strongly advise people with the infection not to visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes and to stay away from work or school until they have been symptom free for 48 hours.

"Small children should not be taken to wards to visit sick relatives as the infection spreads rapidly in closed environments."