Leitrim visitors with flu-like symptoms advised to avoid Sligo University Hospital

Sligo University Hospital is urging people across Leitrim and the wider region not to visit if they have any flu-like symptoms, as the hospital manages two active flu outbreaks and a sharp rise in cases.

According to a statement released to the media, the hospital is currently treating 27 patients with flu, with a particularly high number of older people and children attending the Emergency Department. Since the start of the flu season, 193 people in Sligo have been laboratory-confirmed with flu, including 56 cases recorded last week alone. Eighty people have been hospitalised since the season began, with 20 admissions last week.

As an immediate infection-control measure, Sligo University Hospital has introduced strict visiting restrictions. Management said they “regret the impact these restrictions will have on patients and their families, especially at this time of year,” but stressed the need to do everything possible to control the spread of infection.

Visiting should now be limited to direct family only. Children should not be brought onto adult wards. On wards experiencing a flu outbreak, visiting will be allowed on compassionate grounds only. Regular visiting hours remain from 6pm to 8pm, and any visit outside these hours must be pre-arranged with the ward’s Clinical Nurse Manager 2.

Anyone with flu symptoms — including fever, body aches, headache, sore throat or cough — is asked to postpone visiting until at least 48 hours after symptoms have completely cleared. This, the hospital says, is essential to reduce the risk of spreading infection to vulnerable patients and healthcare staff.

All visitors are being reminded to wash their hands frequently, use hand gel throughout the hospital and wear the face masks that are widely available on site. The restrictions are temporary and will be reviewed daily. Members of the public are advised to check HSE.ie for the latest updates on visiting arrangements.

For those with mild illness or non-urgent conditions, the HSE is encouraging the use of GP out-of-hours services and local pharmacies, which can provide advice and treatment and help relieve pressure on the Emergency Department. Anyone with chest pain or breathing difficulties should seek emergency care immediately or call 112/999.

The HSE is also urging every eligible person to get vaccinated against flu and COVID as soon as possible. Vaccines can prevent severe illness and reduce the spread of infection, protecting vulnerable people and easing demand on hospitals. They are available through participating GPs, pharmacists or by calling HSELive.

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