HEALTH bosses at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital are asking people only to visit if absolutely necessary after an outbreak of a vomiting and diarrhoea bug.

As of today, Dunkery Ward and Ward 3 were closed to new admissions, while restrictions were in place on Ward 1 in a bid to contain the norovirus.

Medical director Dr Cecil Blumgart said: “We have three confirmed cases of norovirus at Musgrove and eight further patients with symptoms and are putting measures in place to minimise the risk of any cross-infection.

“As well as closing the ward to new admissions, we’re asking visitors to act responsibly as we know that in the past visitors have brought the virus into Musgrove.

“If you have had symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the last three days, or have met anyone who has, you may be carrying the virus.

“I’m asking people to make sure that they’re not the ones bringing the virus into Musgrove.”

Norovirus exists in the community and although not usually serious is highly infectious – up to an estimated million people in the UK are affected by it each year.

The virus can be spread by contact with an infected person or surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus.

Musgrove has detailed and well-established procedures to manage outbreaks and to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

The hospital was in the grips of a norovirus outbreak for several weeks in the lead up to Christmas.