A ward at Hereford County Hospital has been closed to visitors due to to diarrhoea and vomiting.

Health bosses said it has closed the Gilwern ward as a preventative measure to prevent the further spread of Norovirus which is affecting some patients.

Consultant microbiologist Venkat Sivaprakasam, said: "We’ve had to close this ward to visitors to help lessen the chance of the spread of diarrhoea and vomiting to both patients and visitors and other areas of the hospital."

He said these kinds of outbreak come from within the community and are often seen at this time of year.

“It’s important that any visitors or outpatients with diarrhoea and/or vomiting do not visit any of our hospitals until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours.

“Visitors to all areas of hospitals are requested to practice good hand hygiene and use the alcohol gels available in all wards/departments in order to prevent any further spread of infection

“Please only come to the hospital if you really need to. Vulnerable people, such as young children and the elderly, should not attend where possible”.

Wye Valley NHS Trust has thanked visitors for their understanding during this period and said restrictions are in place to protect its patients, as part of its zero tolerance approach to healthcare associated infections.