Wards closed over vomiting virus

The Norovirus bug remains contagious 72 hours after symptoms subside

An outbreak of viral gastroenteritis has caused the closure of three wards at Bedford Hospital.

Elizabeth and Harpur wards closed at the weekend when symptoms were first spotted, and Pilgrim shut on Tuesday when they spread, a spokeswoman said.

Tests are currently been carried out to confirm the cause of vomiting and stomach upsets among patients.

Precautionary measures have been put in place to prevent further spread of the illness to other areas of the hospital.

Director of infection prevention and control Julie Halliday said: "Although viral gastroenteritis is more prevalent in hospitals during the winter months, the virus is present in the community all year round.

"Norovirus thrives in areas where there are large numbers of people such as schools, cruise ships and hospitals.

"Once a patient or visitor enters the hospital with the virus, the virus can spread to other patients very rapidly.

"We have quickly responded to these suspected cases by closing the affected wards to admissions and transfers.

"To help prevent the spread of the infection to other wards, we are restricting visiting on affected wards to the next of kin or significant others."