THREE wards at Worcestershire Royal Hospital are currently closed to visitors due to outbreaks of norovirus.

Beech Two, Avon Three and the Acute Medical Unit at the hospital are closed following outbreaks of the infection, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Friends and family are asked to only visit patients on these wards in an emergency and to phone ahead before travelling.

There is no treatment for norovirus except for letting it run its course and people suffering from the illness are advised to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, wash their hands thoroughly after using the toilet and not prepare food for others until at least 48 hours after symptoms have subsided.

Towels and flannels should also not be shared and all surfaces should be thoroughly disinfected.

All other wards at the hospital as well as Kidderminster Hospital and Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital are open as normal.

For up-to-date information on ward closures visit worcsacute.nhs.uk.

For advice on norovirus call your GP or NHS 111.