Stomach bug leads to visitor ban

The Norovirus bug remains contagious 72 hours after symptoms subside

A hospital ward specialising in vein, artery and intestine surgery is restricting visitors following an outbreak of the winter sickness virus.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has stopped all except essential visits to Docking ward because of Norovirus.

This is a stomach bug causing nausea and diarrhoea and is very easily spread from person to person and is active up to three days after symptoms vanish.

The restrictions will be reviewed on Thursday, the hospital said.

The virus lasts about two days and no treatment is required.

People are being asked not to visit Docking ward unless absolutely necessary.

Wash hands

Dr Judith Richards, director of infection prevention and control, said: "We want to protect our patients by restricting the chances of people spreading this infection.

"For this reason, regrettably, we are asking that people do not visit patients in the affected ward, unless absolutely necessary.

"It's very important that people who have had the virus, or been in contact with someone who has had it, take precautions to avoid spreading it.

"That means not going back to work or school until two days after the symptoms have stopped.

"People should also avoid visiting places like hospitals and residential homes if they have had the bug or been in contact with it over the past two days.

"Alcohol gel is effective against bacteria but not all viruses, therefore we are recommend that, as a matter of routine, all visitors should also wash their hands with hot water and soap when visiting our wards."