PATIENTS and staff at East Lancashire hospitals have been struck down with a sickness and diarrhoea bug - but no wards have had to be closed.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has revealed there were 65 cases of norovirus at Blackburn in December while 18 patients from Burnley General and Pendle Community Hospitals were affected by the virus.

Staff have also been affected by the highly contagious bug. Seven worker at Burnley General and 20 at the Royal Blackburn Hospital have had to have time off after contracting the virus.

On Monday the trust reported that it had closed a ward at Burnley General Hospital as a result of the virus, but later said that this had not been the case.

Lynn Wissett, Director of Clinical Care and Governance for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We can confirm that no wards are closed - just a small number of isolated bays across the sites. To date we have not had to cancel any operations due to the norovirus.

"We are extremely confident that the situation is under control - our Infection Control Team are being extremely vigilant and are putting in place actions to try to prevent further spread of the illness."

Mrs Wissett said that the public and staff had played a major role in stopping the spread of the virus.

She said: "All Trust staff have worked very hard to ensure the impact of norovirus has been minimal and we would like to extend our thanks to them.

"The public have a huge part to play also by staying away from the hospitals if they have had the illness and not to return for at least 48 hours until after their symptoms have stopped. We would also like to thank the public for the vigilance they have shown by observing hand hygiene when visiting our wards.

"The washing of hands with soap and water is of utmost importance in preventing the virus, with the use of the alcohol gel as a backup to promote general hygiene when entering and exiting the wards to ensure mutual protection of patients and visitors."

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West has already urged people to help limit the spread of the virus by avoiding GP surgeries, hospitals and residential care homes.

Dr Kenneth Lamden, consultant in communicable disease control with the HPA's Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Unit, said the affects of the virus only last for around three days.

He said that there is no specific treatment other than rest and lots of drinks to replace lost fluids and people in normal health should recover without medical intervention.

During December there were more than 2,800 admissions at Burnley General and Pendle Community Hospitals and over 7000 admissions at Royal Blackburn Hospital.