Teddington Memorial Hospital has been hit by a norovirus outbreak.

Multiple cases of norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, has prompted the hospital to to close a bay and two side rooms to new patients in the Pamela Bryant Unit.

It is also asking visitors to stay away from the unit to prevent the spread of the illness to other patients and staff.

A spokeswoman said: “It’s always a risk in situations such as this that the infection could spread to patients and staff, which is why we are saying anyone with any symptoms in the past 24 hours don’t come at all - even if you have an outpatients’ appointment - please phone and cancel.”

Visitors to the rest of the hospital should wash their hand with soap thoroughly and frequently to prevent the spread of infection.

If a member of your household has had signs of infection you are also asked to stay away from the walk-in centre, GP practices, and local A&Es.

Symptoms include diarrhoea and vomiting. Although it is a very unpleasant illness, it usually clears without medical attention within a few days.