MEMBERS of the public are being asked to help contain the spread of Norovirus at Dorset County Hospital by only visiting if absolutely necessary.

Norovirus has been confirmed by laboratory tests and has to-date affected six wards - Hinton, Barnes, Day Lewis, Hardy, Purbeck and Ilchester.

Hinton and Barnes wards have been re-opened following a thorough clean, the other wards remain closed to new admissions.

Alison Tong, Director of Nursing and Infection Prevention and Control said: "We would advise anyone who does not need to come to the hospital, to refrain from doing so.

"We are also restricting the number of visitors on the affected wards to two per patient. No children will be allowed to visit the affected wards without prior permission of the Ward Sister.

"All members of the public are requested to ensure they use the alcohol gel before they enter any ward area and after any direct contact with patients.

"In addition, if any visitor has had any symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in the past 72 hours, we would ask that they do not come to the hospital until they have been symptom free for 72 hours."

She said the hospital was taking every precaution possible.

Norovirus is easily transmitted from one person to another.

However, the resulting illness is self-limiting. The symptoms will last for 12-60 hours and can start with the sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and diarrhoea although the pattern does vary.