FAMILIES and friends of patients at the Royal Gwent Hospital are being asked to restrict their visiting, to help staff overcome an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Two wards - C6 East and West - have been closed to new admissions due to illness caused by the highly contagious Norovirus, and the hospital's infection prevention and control team is working with bed managers to stop it spreading.

Because the bug is in the general community, and some people may be healthy carriers without having any symptoms, they may inadvertently bring it onto wards where already sick patients are more likely to become ill with it.

Gwent Healthcare Trust is asking people to restrict visits, and not to come in for several days if they have suffered sickness and diarrhoea. Anyone who has to visit a patient, particularly if the latter has the Norovirus, is asked wash their hands with soap and water on entering the ward and before leaving.

People suffering from the Norovirus should not come to hospital unless they are in a high-risk group, as they do not need hospital care. The vast majority of Norovirus episodes, though unpleasant, are over quickly and can be dealt with at home.

As visiting affected wards is restricted, a prior check by telephone - 01633 234234 - is advised.