A NUMBER of wards at Borders General Hospital have come down with the winter vomiting bug.

NHS Borders has confirmed that wards four, five, nine and ten, as well as the Medical Assessment Unit are currently affected by confirmed cases of norovirus.

And health bosses are urging any visitors to those wards to stay away, particularly those who have experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the past 48 hours.

Joint director of public health, Dr Tim Patterson says: “Norovirus is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting illness. It is very infectious and spreads quickly between people. 

"This is why outbreaks happen in hospitals where a number of people are sharing facilities. However it doesn’t just occur in hospitals, and can start abruptly and spread quickly through communities.

"Action by patients, visitors and staff can help support us to deliver safe patient care and minimise the impact of a potential norovirus outbreak, and we are urging visitors to comply with any instructions you are given by staff or you see on signs at the entrances to wards. 

"This is vital to protect yourselves and your loved ones from catching this unpleasant virus, particularly as your friends or family members currently in hospital may be more vulnerable to the virus than usual.

"Thank you for your cooperation."