Norovirus outbreaks at Derriford and Torbay hospitals

A highly contagious virus which causes vomiting and diarrhoea has closed wards at two hospitals in Devon.

The norovirus outbreak has prompted Torbay Hospital and Derriford Hospital in Plymouth to urge people who have any symptoms not to visit patients.

Three wards have been closed to new admissions at Torbay Hospital and two are closed at Derriford.

Both hospitals said infection control teams were reviewing the situation on a daily basis.

'Real risk'

Symptoms of norovirus include the sudden onset of nausea, followed by vomiting and diarrhoea.

South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's infection control lead Lynn Kelly said in order to protect patients it was necessary to ask visitors to act responsibly.

"We know that people place great value on being able to visit loved ones in hospital, but during periods when we are experiencing infection outbreaks in the community and in hospitals they can unknowingly be putting patients' health at real risk," she said.

"Norovirus rarely requires medical treatment but for those who are already ill it can pose more danger."