HOSPITALS are on alert and operations have been cancelled after an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Elective surgery was cancelled yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) at the Alexandra and Worcestershire Royal hospitals.

Hospitals are seeing a steady increase in the number of people with diarrhoea and vomiting in the community who are either going into accident and emergency or passing on the infection when visiting. Fourteen wards across the county are affected by the diarrhoea and vomiting outbreak and in some cases norovirus, a particularly infectious form of diarrhoea and vomiting, has been identified.

At the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, in Bromsgrove, there were 11 symptomatic patients in the Lickey ward. This ward has now been closed for admissions and non-urgent transfers.

John Rostill, the chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We strongly advise people to think twice before visiting family and friends and to do so only if it is essential. If they have to visit then they will need to wash their hands with soap and water as they enter and leave the ward and also use the hand gel.

“Using the hand alcohol rub on its own is not sufficient to kill these particular germs. It may be possible for simple cases of diarrhoea and vomit to be managed effectively at home. Only those patients with other underlying illnesses need to come into hospital.

“If you come into hospital with diarrhoea and vomiting there is an increased risk of infection to patients who are already unwell and to the staff who are caring for them.”

All patients due for surgery will be informed by telephone and their operations rescheduled. Patients due for operations or procedures at Kidderminster Hospital are not affected and should attend for their appointments.

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of gastroenteritis (stomach bugs) in England and Wales. The virus is easily transmitted from one person to another. It can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.