PATIENTS and visitors are being urged to help avoid an outbreak of a nasty winter bug at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital.

The hospital is currently clear of the vomiting sickness norovirus but it can quickly spread if it is brought in from the community.

Musgrove’s medical director Dr Colin Close is calling on people to avoid taking the illness in with them and to follow hand hygiene practices.

Dr Close said: “Norovirus is highly contagious and very nasty for those who get it.

“It spreads very quickly and so we’re asking all members of the public to think carefully before coming to Musgrove if they have been unwell.

“Norovirus circulates in the community during the winter months and it only takes one person to bring the infection in to the hospital for it to quickly spread to other patients.

“This means that wards can be closed due to outbreaks and visiting restrictions put in place.

“We know we may not be able to prevent norovirus from getting in to the hospital this winter, but we are trying to do all we can to limit the risk and are asking you to help us.”

Musgrove is asking people: o not to visit if they have had any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the last two days; o to clean their hands with alcohol gel at the entrance to wards or departments; o not to allow children of 11 and under to visit unless absolutely necessary, except on the children's and maternity wards.

Only close family and friends will be able to visit wards affected with norovirus.