Visitor restrictions at Midland Regional hospital over vomiting bug suspicions

Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore has put in place visitor restrictions due a suspected outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

The hospital said the controls were introduced at lunchtime on Friday in the interest of patient care and to stop the spread of the bug.

Norovirus, which is commonly known as the vomiting bug, has symptoms including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is highly contagious.

A Health Service Executive spokeswoman said it was not an outbreak but there had been one suspected case.

She said visitors are asked to co-operate with staff at the hospital and use alcohol gels entering and leaving.

There have been no outbreaks of this virus in this hospital so far this winter season.