Beaumont Hospital in Dublin has urged people to avoid all non-essential visits due to an outbreak of norovirus – commonly called the “winter vomiting bug”.
A hospital spokesman said 42 patients had symptoms of the virus, which include severe abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Some 38 beds are unavailable as a result of quarantine arrangements to deal with the outbreak.
The spokesman said the outbreak is being “managed appropriately” and insisted on the co-operation of the public in dealing with it.
“So far, we have refrained from imposing an all-out ban on visiting, but we may have to do that if people do not fully respect the existing restrictions,” he said.
Only essential visits should be made, by lone visitors, and between 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Children should not visit under any circumstances.