MUSGROVE Park Hospital in Taunton is asking for the public to help reduce the risk of the vomiting bug ‘norovirus’.

The hospital is currently experiencing some isolated cases of the bug, which may have been brought in by people who have had the illness out in the community.

They are asking all those visiting to make it their responsibility to ensure they don’t bring any illnesses in with them.

Musgrove’s medical director, Colin Close said: “Norovirus is highly contagious and very nasty for those who get it.

It spreads very quickly and so we are asking all members of the public to think carefully before visiting patients at Musgrove if they have recently 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 patients.

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

“We are trying to do all we can to limit the risk of norovirus outbreaks in our hospital and are asking you to help us.

"We’re also keeping our website and phone lines updated with the latest information for patients and visitors.”

How the public can help keep reduce the risk of norovirus and other infections at Musgrove:

• Please do not visit the hospital if you have had any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the last two days.

• If visiting in the hospital please clean your hands with the alcohol gel at the entrance to the ward or department

• We know that schools and nurseries can often be affected with norovirus we therefore ask at this time that children aged 11 and under (except on the Children's and Maternity wards) should not visit patients in the hospital unless absolutely necessary.

• Visiting on wards affected with norovirus is restricted to close family and friends only. Information on any wards affected is available on the trust website. If you do visit wards where there is norovirus your hands must be washed with soap and water before you leave the ward you leave.

• Please note that alcohol gel alone is not effective against Norovirus. If visiting a ward affected by norovirus hands should be washed with soap and water before leaving the ward.