RESTRICTIONS have been imposed on a ward at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital in a bid to stop the spread of the highly contagious norovirus diarrhoea and vomiting bug.

Only friends and family can visit Triscombe Ward after a number of patients caught the unpleasant bug.

The visitors are also being asked to use alcohol gel when they enter the ward and wash their hands with soap and water on leaving.

They are also being urged not to drop in on other wards after leaving Triscombe and to follow any instructions given by staff.

People who have had symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the past two days are being asked to stay away from Musgrove, as are primary school age children unless their visit is absolutely necessary.

Somerset County Gazette:

Norovirus is highly contagious and has no specific cure.

It usually lasts for a couple of days and people with symptoms are advise to drink plenty of water, take paracetamol, eat foods that are easy to digest and stay at home.