AN outbreak of diarrhoea or vomiting amongst patients has seen Arrow ward at Hereford County Hospital shut to visitors.

The restriction is in place with Wye Valley NHS Trust (WVT) suspecting norovirus – the so called winter vomiting bug – is on the ward.

Alison Johnson, WVT consultant microbiologist, said: “Unfortunately, this kind of outbreak comes from within the community and as a preventative measure visiting to Arrow Ward at Hereford County Hospital has been stopped to prevent the further spread of diarrhoea and vomiting which is now affecting some patients.

“We are urging anyone who has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the previous 48 hours to avoid visiting hospitals in Herefordshire or attending hospital appointments. Babies, young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to catching Norovirus.”