Published: Friday, 29th January, 2010 12:12pm

Vomiting bug hits Borders General Hospital

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CHILDREN were banned from visiting and wards closed as the region's biggest hospital suffered an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug this week.

Strict new visiting procedures were have been put in place at the Borders General Hospital after a suspected outbreak of the Norovirus.

Two wards were closed to try and contain the problem after a number of patients began to display symptoms linked to the virus, which include nausea, headaches and a raised temperature.

NHS Borders has requested that anyone who has experienced symptoms within the past 48 hours not to visit the hospital, and stated that children shouldn't be brought to see patients at all.

Patients are only allowed one visitor at a time, and the hospital has requested that visitors go directly to the ward and do not move around other areas of the building.

The use of sanitising gels and hand-washing will be enforced in all wards.

Dr Ross Cameron, Medical Director said: "Our primary concern is the healthcare of our patients and staff.

"They are all aware that we need to impose these rigorous control measures to manage the situation and we strongly advise visitors to follow this advice to help prevent further spread of the virus."

Across the whole of Scotland there has been a sharp rise in the number of reported cases of the bug within the last six weeks. However, Hay Lodge in Peebles remained unaffected.