A fresh outbreak of winter vomiting virus has hit one of Dublin's largest hospitals.
Tallaght Hospital last night appealed to the public not to attend its adult accident and emergency department unless absolutely necessary after up to 15 cases of the bug were diagnosed among patients.
A hospital spokeswoman said a number of the patients were cordoned off in the A&E unit, which meant the department was under serious pressure.
"Currently accident and emergency staff are under increased pressure and are actively managing a number of patients with the winter vomiting virus. As the virus is very contagious this poses difficulties for the full operation of the adult A&E department," she said.
She stressed to patients that the virus alone did not require acute hospital treatment and that those with symptoms should if possible contact their GP in the first instance.
"The virus is in the community generally and is being brought into hospitals where it is having a serious effect," she said.
"If you have or suspect you have the virus please do not visit the hospital," she advised.
Tallaght Hospital, which has 533 beds, also houses the National Children's Hospital, but cases of the virus are confined to the adult wing. The bug has also resurfaced in recent weeks at St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, and at St Patrick's Hospital in Waterford. A total of 13 patients and 16 members of staff are now suspected to have contracted the virus at St Patrick's Hospital. Two patients and four members of staff have reported symptoms consistent with the virus since the weekend.
Provisional figures from the National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) indicate there were 5,216 cases of illness associated with outbreaks of the virus last year. Almost all outbreaks occurred in hospitals, residential care institutions and nursing homes and resulted in elective surgery being cancelled in several instances.
Of the 154 outbreaks provisionally reported to the NDSC in 2002, hospitals accounted for 77 outbreaks, nursing and residential homes accounted for 44 outbreaks, hotels, tour groups and restaurants contributed to 12 outbreaks, and schools and creches were associated with 16. The remaining five outbreaks were classified as from other or unknown sources.
It is now estimated that the virus affects about one person in every 100 each year. The increase in infections may be attributed in part to better reporting and more sensitive diagnostic techniques.
The current outbreaks come in the midst of a public health doctors dispute which means there will be no national monitoring or surveillance of the spread of the bug.