A WARD at Bromyard Community hospital has been closed to visitors due to a suspected outbreak of the norovirus vomiting bug.

The quarantine has been placed on the Linden Ward after an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting which is affecting some patients.

A Wye Valley NHS Trust spokesman said: "Experience has shown that restricting visiting can lessen the chance of spread to both patients and visitors and other areas of the hospital.

"It is very important that any visitors with diarrhoea and/or vomiting do not visit other areas of the hospital until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

"Visitors to all areas of the hospital are requested to practice good hand hygiene and use the alcohol gels available in all departments prevent any spread of infection.

"We ask that you only come to the hospital if you really need to. Particularly young children, vulnerable elderly visitors and anyone who has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and or vomiting in the previous 48 hours must avoid visiting any of the hospitals.

"We wish to thank all visitors for their understanding during this period and to emphasise that these restrictions are in place to protect our patients, as part of a zero-tolerance approach to healthcare-associated infections."