An outbreak control committee has been set up in University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) following a sudden outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.
Admissions to two wards in the hospital have been stopped after 20 patients contracted the bug which spreads rapidly and is accompanied by severe nausea and sudden vomiting. Cases can last anywhere from six to 18 hours.
UCHG are encouraging members of the public to restrict their visits to the hospital where possible and to visit their GP with any complaints before visiting to the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology is to set up a mumps vaccination clinic today after seven new cases of the sickness were reported in the area since Monday.
Two cases of the viral infection, which is potentially serious for children and young adults, were discovered at the college, while five others were reported across the region.
Students witha history of mumps infection or who did not receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, are invited to attend.
