A WARD at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been closed to new patients and visitors following cases of a winter vomiting virus.The hospital's Mulbarton ward has been closed due to the Norovirus stomach bug which causes nausea and diarrhoea and is very easily spread from person to person.

A WARD at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been closed to new patients and visitors following cases of a winter vomiting virus.

The hospital's Mulbarton ward has been closed due to the Norovirus stomach bug which causes nausea and diarrhoea and is very easily spread from person to person.

The spread of infection is easiest in places where groups of people are in close proximity for reasonable amounts of time such as residential homes, schools, hospitals and workplaces.

The virus lasts around two days and no treatment is required, however, even after the symptoms have cleared up people may still carry the virus and infect others up to three days after their own symptoms have stopped.

Dr Judith Richards, the hospital's director of infection prevention and control hospital, 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 on Mulbarton 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 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 and visitors are being asked to wash their hands with hot water and soap when visiting the hospital.