VISITORS are being warned to stay away from Redditch's Alexandra Hospital due to an outbreak of the dreaded winter sickness bug norovirus.

As the weather has got colder NHS bosses have started to see cases of the highly contagious bug.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust which manages the Alex Hospital is asking anyone planning to visit its hospitals to stay away if they or their family members have had diarrhoea, vomiting or ‘flu-like’ symptoms in the previous four days.

Staff who display symptoms of norovirus are also being urged not to return to work until they are 48 hours clear of symptoms.

Symptoms of norovirus include diarrhoea and vomiting and, just like flu, the virus can seriously affect vulnerable patients.

If anyone has norovirus, the best thing they can do is rest, and have plenty of non-caffeinated drinks to avoid dehydration and take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains.

Those suffering symptoms are advised not to visit their GP surgery or local A&E.

A Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said: "We do expect at this time of year to see a rise in winter illnesses. In particular, norovirus – or the winter vomiting bug as it is sometimes called – is highly contagious and spreads rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, schools and care homes.

"We have started to see some cases of norovirus on wards at both the Alexandra and Worcestershire Royal Hospitals and these are being managed rigorously in line with our infection prevention and control policy."

For health advice people can call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency.