A number of hospitals around the country have been affected by outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug, causing strict restrictions to be placed on visitors and prompting the cancellation of non-urgent admissions in some cases.
The Southern Health Board has confirmed nine patients and one member of staff have been affected at St Finbarr's Hospital in Cork city while five patients have been affected at Kerry General Hospital in Tralee. Strict visitor restrictions are in place at both hospitals with only next of kin permitted.
While the hospitals remain open, staff are appealing to anyone who has diarrhoea or vomiting to wait for 72 hours before visiting, if possible.
Three hospitals in the South East have also been affected by the virus with 10 patients and 22 members of staff displaying symptoms at Our Lady's Hospital in Cashel. 16 patients and six staff have been affected in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Carlow and 13 cases were reported at St Columba's Hospital for the elderly in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.
Visitor restrictions are in place in Carlow and Thomastown. Non-urgent admissions have been cancelled at Our Lady's Hospital in Cashel. A spokeswoman for the South Eastern Health Board said arrangements would be reviewed on a daily basis and appealed for the public's co-operation. She said any elective admissions affected would be rescheduled.
There are nine confirmed cases of the virus at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick. Admissions are not affected at the hospital although strict visitor restrictions are in place.
The winter vomiting bug, known as Small Rounded Structured Viruses, is highly infectious and usually causes short-lasting outbreaks of abdominal pain and nausea followed by diarrhoea and/or vomiting. It is usually quite mild and rarely causes severe problems, however it can be quite unpleasant and debilitating in small children or older people who are already ill.
People affected by the virus should drink plenty of fluids, maintain strict hygiene and avoid visiting hospitals or nursing homes.