Inquiries are being made into whether the
problem is linked to a rubbish
dump |
Patients
at a community hospital are being supplied with mosquito nets to
combat a fly infestation on the wards, it has emerged.
The 40 bed Glen O'Dee Hospital in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, has
had the insect influx for the past four weeks.
The infestation has not only affected the NHS Grampian facility
but is spread across the whole of the town.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is working to find the
source of the outbreak.
A spokesman for NHS Grampian said that it was mainly weak and
elderly patient who had been given mosquito nets to hang over their
beds.
 |
 We are using mosquito nets for some patients and
have also brought in machines that electrocute the flies
|
He
said: "This is not local to the hospital, apparently the whole of
Banchory is a town suffering from this infestation of flies.
"About two weeks ago we brought in a company of pest control
experts and they advised us to erect external screens around the
hospital which we did this week.
"We are also using mosquito nets for some patients and have also
brought in machines that electrocute the flies.
"At this stage we are just monitoring the situation."
A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said the problem was
currently being put down to the warm weather.
However, it had reported the matter to Sepa and would follow any
advice it received.
Landfill site
There has been speculation that the source could be related to
the local authority rubbish tip.
However, a spokeswoman for Sepa said: "There is no clear evidence
to suggest the source of flies is coming from the local
authority-operated landfill site.
"Sepa has officers on site looking into operational issues to
ensure full compliance of the licence is being met.
"Should it be in breach of the licence, Sepa will take whatever
action is deemed necessary."
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