Two wards at Dumfries Royal Infirmary are closed due to an outbreak of norovirus.
Twenty six patients and five members of staff have reported symptoms of sickness and diarrhoea.
The wards are closed to routine admissions and visitors.
Two wards have been closed at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary due to a norovirus outbreak.
A total of 26 patients and 5 staff members have reported symptoms of the winter vomiting bug.
– Elaine Ross, Infection Control Manager"We can confirm that norovirus is circulating in the community.
"We would urge anyone with suspected symptoms to stay at home, drink lots of fluid and follow basic hand hygiene advice.”
The advice to public who want to visit the closed wards is:
Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show there has been a 72% increase in the number of cases reported at the same point last year.
The HPA have seen 3,877 laboratory confirmed cases of norovirus this season (from week 27 to week 51 2012).
Cases of norovirus have risen earlier than expected this winter season and this is a trend that has been seen across Europe and other parts of the world. It has not yet been determined why this has been the case and activity varies significantly from year to year.
John Harris, an expert in norovirus from the HPA said:
As we have seen in previous years there has been a dip in the number of confirmed laboratory reports owing to the Christmas and New Year period. However, in line with other norovirus seasons we will expect to see an increase in the number of laboratory reports in the next few weeks.
Norovirus is very contagious, and anyone who has had it knows it is very unpleasant. If you think you may have the illness then it is important to maintain good hand hygiene to help prevent it spreading. We also advise that people stay away from hospitals, schools and care homes as these environments are particularly prone to outbreaks.
The Health Protection Agency has reported an increase in cases of the Winter vomiting disease. The number's usually highest after Christmas.
Read the full storyHospital staff are asking people who feel unwell to avoid visiting their relatives and friends, due to the highly contagious winter vomiting bug.
Norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhoea and can be particularly dangerous for people with other medical conditions.
– Ann Woodburn, Infection Prevention and Control, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust is"Norovirus infection is particularly serious when it gets into environments where people live or work in close proximity, such as hospitals, residential care homes, hotels and schools.
"In hospitals, it inevitably leads to ward closures as measures are taken to contain the infection and stop it spreading. It can also lead to staff illness and of course it increases the risk to patients who have other serious illnesses.
“There are things that people can do to limit the impact so we are reminding people of the measures that may protect our healthcare services."
An outbreak of the winter vomiting bug has closed two wards in Cumbria.
The West Cumberland Hospital and Carlisle Infrmary both have one ward closed due to the spread of norovirus.
Staff are asking visitors who feel poorly, to avoid visiting relatives and friends at this time.
