The winter vomiting bug is continuing to cause operational difficulties at hospitals with the South Eastern Health Board today reporting more suspected cases over the weekend.
The news follows the detection of ten suspected cases at University College Hospital, Galway, yesterday. The hospital had been free from the virus for several months after an outbreak last year but the Western Health Board (WHB) has now announced 10 suspected cases.
The South Eastern Health Board today said it was awaiting the results of tests on yet more victims at three hospitals in the region.
Elective surgery has been curtailed and admissions strictly monitored at all four hospitals and visitors are only being admitted in extenuating circumstances.
There were six further suspected cases of the virus among patients at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Carlow since yesterday. A total of 34 patients and 12 members of staff are now thought to have contracted the virus.
St Dympna's Hospital, also in Carlow, reported six suspected cases of the virus since the weekend.
St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, is also controlling admissions and visitors as six patients and one member of staff are suspected of having contracted the virus.
The so-called winter vomiting bug - properly known as small round structured virus (SRSV) - is extremely contagious because, unlike most gastric viruses, it can be spread by inhalation. Typical symptoms are diarrhoea and projectile vomiting but there are no long term health consequences for healthy individuals.
Hospitals throughout the State have been affected by SRSV since it became endemic in the Republic a year ago. Elective surgery cancellations; the restriction of admissions to emergency cases only; and strict controls on visiting has been the typical response of the health boards.The virus is prevalent throughout Europe and Northern Ireland and Great Britain have also seen emergency measures pout in place at its hospitals. The South East region has been the worst-hit area in the Republic.