Visiting restrictions eased at Portiuncula

Visiting restrictions introduced at Portiuncula Hospital to stop the spread of the contagious bacterial infection Clostridium difficile have been eased this week.

On Thursday last the Saolta University Health Care Group, which oversees the management of Portiuncula, issued a statement saying there had been 'a small number of cases' of the infection at the Ballinasloe facility.

The affected patients were isolated and visiting restrictions were introduced.

In an update this week, a spokesperson said that restrictions on visitors to the hospital had eased.

'Visiting restrictions have been scaled back and now only apply to the affected patients,' the spokesperson said.

'Infection control measures remain in place in and the situation continues to be monitored daily by the Infection Control team in the hospital.'

People infected with Clostridium Difficile suffer symptoms such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and loss of appetite.