Unit at hospital affected by virus is closed

Severe restrictions on patients and the public at a Dublin hospital have been enforced in an attempt to control the spread of what is believed to be a viral infection which has affected 42 patients, most of whom are older people. Symptoms include vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

The Eastern Health Board, which runs Baggot Street Community Hospital, confirmed yesterday that members of the public were not being allowed into the hospital's residential unit, which caters for older people. It stressed, however, that the infection was mild and most patients were recovering within 24 hours. The EHB has had to close temporarily a day care centre attached to the community hospital since the outbreak occurred late last month. A spokeswoman said 42 people were either "recovering or had recovered" from the infection.

Laboratory analysis had yet to establish definitively the cause of the outbreak, but a virus was believed to be responsible. It is being transmitted in the usual "person-to-person" way that food poisoning microbes, for example, may be spread. The infection was "mild and self-limiting", which meant that recovery was quick and did not require medication.

Special attention has to be given to such outbreaks affecting older people, or those in hospital, as their immune systems might be compromised. In addition, infections can spread easily and quickly in such an environment.

The decision to close the unit for admissions was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the infection elsewhere, the EHB spokeswoman added. Eighty people are in the unit. "We have asked the public not to visit them as a public health protection measure."

The health board has provided mobile phones to the patients so that they can maintain contact with their families and friends, she confirmed.

The Baggot Street hospital ceased to be a general hospital in 1988 and now provides a geriatric service with long-stay care and respite care beds. Many of the services it provides are on an outpatient basis.