TWO wards at a Suffolk hospital have been closed to new admissions following fears that the winter vomiting virus has struck.Several patients have showed symptoms of the norovirus infection which affects hundreds of people in the community each year.

TWO wards at a Suffolk hospital have been closed to new admissions following fears that the winter vomiting virus has struck.

Several patients at West Suffolk Hospital have showed symptoms of the norovirus infection.

The affected patients have been isolated to prevent the illness from spreading, while visitors who have shown symptoms of the virus have been urged to stay away.

Dr Caroline Barker, the hospital's infection control doctor, said: “Norovirus is very infectious and every year there are cases in the community which transfer to the hospital.

“We are managing the current cases using our stringent infection control policies and have been proactive to stop the infection from spreading to any other wards. Our cleaning staff have also been working hard to make sure enhanced cleaning takes place on the affected wards.

“We would advise anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomiting to stay away from the hospital for at least 72 hours after they have recovered, even if they feel better. Otherwise they run the risk of unknowingly passing the highly contagious illness on to someone who is already sick.

“Anyone who visits the hospital should also take care to clean their hands. If visiting the affected wards they should use soap and water as the alcohol gel is not effective against this virus.”

Anyone suffering from norovirus should stay at home, drink plenty of fluids and take tablets such as paracetamol to relieve a temperature.

People with the virus need to come into hospital if they are very young, very old or frail and are having problems with dehydration.