The Health Service Executive (HSE) has urged people with symptoms of the winter vomiting virus to stay away from hospitals. James Fitzgerald reports.
The warning came as a Dublin hospital quarantined patients and turned away visitors in an effort to halt the spread of the virus.
The HSE has issued an appeal to people who have had any symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea not to visit hospitals, as they risk passing this virus on to patients.
"We are asking people who believe they have the virus to stay at home, drink plenty of fluids and limit contact with others," said a statement.
Elective surgery has been postponed at Tallaght Hospital and about 180 beds have been quarantined as a result of the outbreak.
About 50 patients in the hospital have demonstrated symptoms and all visiting rights have been withdrawn apart from in the children's section of the hospital.
The accident and emergency department is still open although the hospital has requested to be taken off-call for emergency arrivals.
"Several clusters of affected patients have been identified and this is under constant review and active management by the infection control team," said a spokesperson for the hospital.
There is no specific treatment for the illness and, as it is caused by a virus, antibiotics have no effect. The symptoms of the virus are vomiting, which can come on suddenly, diarrhoea in some people, and a general feeling of being unwell.
It is usually a mild illness that lasts about two days.
"People with the virus should not visit hospitals or attend them unnecessarily, should not go to work or school, and should only return to work or school 48 hours following the ending of the symptoms," said the HSE.
"The virus is very easily spread from person to person, so certain precautions are recommended. Carefully wash and dry your hands. Clean bathrooms, especially toilets, sinks and any area where vomiting and diarrhoea occurs," said the statement.
