AN OUTBREAK of the norovirus hospital bug has closed three wards in Furness General Hospital.
Visitors have been advised to stay away from Wards 6, 7 and 9 at the Barrow hospital.
The illness causes diarrhoea and vomiting but does not last long, with people usually recovering without treatment other than rest and fluids.
Hospital managers said special controls had been put in place.
Spokeswoman Louise Fleming said: “This is really important to help us deal with the outbreak, protect our patients and staff and return services to normal as soon as possible.
“Our strict infection control and prevention measures are in place which include staff wearing gloves and aprons when dealing with affected patients and washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water between each patient contact.
“Our domestic staff are carrying out regular extensive cleaning of the affected bays and wards.”
Diarrhoea and vomiting bugs affect between 600,000 and 1 million people in UK each year, mainly in winter.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here