SEVEN hospital wards in Hampshire have been shut due to the norovirus.

At Southampton General Hospital five wards, for medicine and the elderly, remain closed following the virus outbreak, bosses have confirmed.

And at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester two wards to new admissions and transfers have been closed because of the vomiting bug.

Managers have taken the precaution not to admit or transfer to Taunton and Clarke medical wards where about ten patients have developed symptoms of the virus.

Visitors to these and all other wards are asked to stay away if they have been unwell during the previous 48 hours or if they have been in close contact with people who have had symptoms of the bug.

The hospital remains open to patients as normal.

Consultant microbiologist Dr Matthew Dryden had given advice for people who were experiencing Norovirus symptoms: "Drinking plenty of fluids helps people stay hydrated and also speeds the infection through the system. Most cases can be over within 48 hours if no re-infection occurs."

He added: "In most cases, it is far better for people to stay at home, manage their symptoms and limit their contact with other people.

"Anyone who is concerned that they, or a relative, is becoming acutely ill should consider coming to A&E if treatment at home has failed to help."