A WARD at Burnley General Hospital has been closed to new admissions yesterday after six patients suffered the winter vomiting virus.

Doctors said the patients suffered vomiting and diarrhoea, the classic symptoms of the norovirus bug, which has already led to the precautionary closure of wards at four other hospitals in the north west this week.

It is usually a minor illness, but can be serious in people who are already ill and vulnerable.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said staff quickly spotted the problem and the affected patients were isolated within the ward. Their condition was described as stable.

The trust said no more patients will be admitted to Ward 12, which is an extended recovery ward, until senior infection control staff are sure it is safe to do so.

Beverley Aspin, the trust's senior matron for infection prevention and control, said: “We are always well prepared for norovirus in winter and we are following all standard procedures to contain it.”

People with norovirus symptoms should call their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice.

“These procedures are really all about good use of isolation and good hygiene, especially hand washing. We have been able to effectively contain norovirus in this way over the past few years.”