A ward has been closed at a Cumbrian hospital following a flu outbreak.

Bosses say ward 4 st Whitehaven's West Cumberland Hospital will be closed to visitors for the next 48 hours.

The suspension will be reviewed again on Saturday.

Exceptions will be allowed in special circumstances, but visitors must have prior approval of the ward matron. They will also be required to wear a personal protective equipment kit.

Influenza, commonly known as flu, can be highly infectious and can spread rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools and care homes.

Clive Graham, director of infection prevention and control said: “Visitors are being reminded not to visit our hospitals if they are unwell, have been unwell in the last 48 hours, or had contact with a person with flu like symptoms in recent days.

“If you do visit please ensure that you wash your hands when you enter and exit the ward, limit time on the ward and avoid bringing children.

“Influenza can be spread through contact with an infected person, by contact with contaminated surfaces or by consuming contaminated food or water. We would ask people to please follow our advice to minimise its effects on the hospital, themselves and their families.”