CASES OF the winter vomiting bug across Scotland are up on last winter, Health Protection Scotland has found.
Although the increase is not significant, health boards are continuing to urge residents to take precautions to prevent its spread.
Winter vomiting, or norovirus, is very common at this time of year in the wider community and a number of hospitals across Tayside and Fife have faced disruption in recent weeks.
Crieff Community Hospital yesterday became the latest to be forced to close a ward, following several reported cases of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Pupils at Pittencrieff Primary in Fife were forced to abandon lessons for a day as the school closed for a deep clean after an outbreak.
NHS Fife director of public health Dr Edward Coyle said: “Norovirus often causes outbreaks because it is so easily spread and the virus is able to survive in the environment for many days.
“Outbreaks usually tend to affect people who are in semi-closed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
“You should not return to work or school until you have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.
“Young children should not play with other children until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said the ward at Crieff had been closed as a precaution.