Last updated 10:53, Tuesday, 02 December 2008

An outbreak of the winter vomiting bug has forced the closure of Wigton Hospital’s in-patient ward.

No new admissions and transfers are being allowed - except in medical emergencies - because of diarrhoea and vomiting.

The ward restrictions have been imposed to prevent the spread of infection and ensure safe patient care.

Clinicians at NHS Cumbria are urging people not to visit the hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.

A spokesman said: “Those people who must visit the hospital should ensure they wash their hands before entering the hospital and use alcohol gel dispensers at the ward entrance and bedside.

“Anyone with symptoms of diarrhoea and sickness should not visit the hospital until they have been free for 48 hours.

“The norovirus illness does not last long and people usually recover between 12 and 60 hours without treatment other than rest and lots of fluids.”