A DOCTORS' leader is warning people struck down by a violent stomach bug sweeping the country not to return to work following the festive break.

More than 100,000 people a week are catching norovirus which causes sudden vomiting and diarrhoea and the numbers contracting the disease are expected to peak this month.

Thousands of workers and children who fell ill over the holiday period are due to return to jobs and classrooms in the coming days.

Many have already called in sick and doctors are warning them not to go back until they are fully recovered, such is the risk of spreading the disease.

British Medical Association representative and West Moors GP Dr Tom McKinstry said: "Unlike other parts of the country, we haven't seen a rise in cases of vomiting and diarrhoea.

"But there has been a big increase in colds, particularly chest infections.

"The norovirus lasts two to three days and, in the ideal world, it is best for sufferers to keep away from work because it is spread through the air.

"The same can be said for people with colds and flu but that isn't always possible."

Dr Simon Hill, director of infection prevention and control at Poole Hospital, said the spread of the virus had been well contained "due to prompt and effective action, including isolation nursing and meticulous additional cleaning measures."

He added: "On occasions, some wards have been temporarily closed to admissions this winter. By doing this we have successfully and quickly contained the virus.

"Members of staff who have suffered sickness and diarrhoea do not return to work for 48 hours after symptoms have cleared. We also ask that patients' friends and family wait 48 hours before visiting."

A Royal Bournemouth Hospital spokeswoman said one ward and four bays were closed yesterday, along with part of the acute admissions unit.

She added: "The situation is changing daily; today we've had five people coming into the accident and emergency department with vomiting and diarrhoea symptoms.

"We are asking patients not to come in to the hospital if they have been feeling unwell within the past 48 hours."

A report from the Health Protection Agency revealed that the number of norovirus cases reported this year had surpassed all other recent years except during the 2002 epidemic.

The bug usually lasts two days and can sweep through schools, offices, hospitals and prisons.

Recently it struck passengers on the Queen Victoria cruise ship and cases have been found in more than a dozen hospitals.

Economists say the country could lose £12 million a week from workers contracting the virus. Since October the total loss is estimated at £234 million.