Non-urgent admissions have been deferred at Merlin Park Hospital in Galway due to a suspected outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.
The Western Health Board and Merlin Park Hospital are appealing to the public to help contain the virus by not visiting the affected ward unless absolutely necessary.
The Western Health Board has confirmed that there are eight suspected cases of the winter vomiting bug in a ward on the ground floor of the main orthopaedic hospital building at Merlin Park.
Investigations to confirm the cause of the illness are under way and measures to control the risk of further spread of infection have been put in place by hospital management and staff.
The health board and Galway Regional Hospital's outbreak control team are reviewing the situation. A spokeswoman for the health board said all non-urgent admissions to the affected ward have been deferred.
"We understand that people need to visit relatives, but perhaps one person could be chosen to visit a relative rather than coming in large groups," she said. "Members of the public are especially requested not to visit any part of a hospital if they themselves or any members of their household have had vomiting or diarrhoea/tummy bug in the three days before the planned visit."
The time period of three days is important because people can spread the virus for some days before they become sick and after they have recovered from a recent tummy bug.
Outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug has led to the cancellation of elective procedures and strict visiting restrictions at hospitals around the State over the last few years.
