POOLE Hospital has confirmed that an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug has forced the closure of a ward.

The ward was closed late yesterday due to norovirus and the hospital will be releasing more information this morning.

An outbreak of the bug caused the closure of a ward at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Monday, and a further bay of a ward was closed on Wednesday.

Denise Richards, matron for infection prevention and control, said: “Norovirus is circulating in the local community, and we have just had our first confirmed case within the hospital, so it is incredibly important that we do everything we can to keep further cases out of the hospital.

“Norovirus is a nasty sickness bug, but for people in hospital who are already poorly, it can be particularly harmful and make people very unwell.

“We have robust measures in place to help prevent the spread of infection, but the public can also help us by staying away if you or any members of your household have had any sort of sickness or diarrhoea in the past 72 hours.”

If you are due to come into the hospital for an appointment and have experienced any of the above symptoms, please contact the department you are visiting for further advice.