TWO wards at York Hospital have been hit by a virus which causes sickness and vomiting.

Elderly patients on the wards have been struck with a Norwalk-type virus, a bug which causes discomfort and diarrhoea.

The infection, which is currently being contained by hospital staff, is easily spread from person to person through the air.

Patients on the two affected wards are being treated there in isolation, while staff carry out stringent decontamination measures to make sure the virus is not spread.

The outbreak, which is said to be quite typical at hospitals, is common as the winter sets in. Last year, the Evening Press reported how a number of wards were closed in separate incidents, with hundreds of patients affected.

The symptoms usually ease within 24 hours and patients remain infectious for at least two days after feeling better.

A York Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman said it was difficult to say how the infection had entered the hospital, but that the virus could spread very quickly.

In previous cases, hospital staff believed it could have been brought in by a patient, member of staff or a visitor. The virus is not caused by food or poor hygiene at the hospital.

The spokeswoman said: "This kind of infection is very normal for this time of year. We have two wards which are affected at the moment and they are elderly patients who are suffering diarrhoea and vomiting.

"This virus is common in hospitals, nursing homes and schools - anywhere where you have a lot of people in one place.

"Our treatment varies from day to day. We are very good at managing this situation now. Patients are still being treated on the wards at the moment."

Anyone who thinks they may have been affected by the virus is asked to wait at least 48 hours after symptoms disappeared before coming into contact with those who could be vulnerable to the infection.

Updated: 10:46 Saturday, December 11, 2004