A ward at West Suffolk Hospital has been closed to new admissions after patients showed symptoms of norovirus.

Ward G3 was closed yesterday after patients began to show signs of the highly contagious diarrhoea and vomiting virus.

All visitors have been urged to take extra care in washing their hands on arrival and when leaving, with anyone showing symptoms asked to stay away.

Nichole Day, executive chief nurse at West Suffolk Hospital, said: “Norovirus is very infectious and every year there are cases in the community which transfer to the hospital. Because the virus has an incubation period of a few days, people are often unaware that they are carrying it until after they have passed it on.

“We would advise anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomiting to stay away from the hospital for at least 72 hours after they have recovered, even if they feel better. Otherwise they run the risk of unknowingly passing the highly contagious illness on to someone who is already sick.

“Anyone who visits the hospital should be vigilant and take care to clean their hands. If they are visiting the affected ward, they should use soap and water when they arrive and before they leave as the alcohol gel is not effective against this virus.”

Ward F10 at the hospital re-opened on Friday, February 27 after being closed to new admissions on Saturday, February 21 when seven patients showed symptoms of norovirus.