MORE than 600 patients at the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals have now been affected by norovirus since the current outbreak began.

As the Daily Echo reported yesterday , trust officials are admitting the outbreak has been its most sustained yet, with cases starting last July and continuing with only a few weeks respite.

The bug, which used to be known as winter vomiting virus, causes sufferers to have sudden diarrhoea and/or sickness. Although short-lived, it is unpleasant and spreads very easily.

Up until the end of December, there had 326 cases at the foundation trust's hospitals, with 27 ward closures and 29 bay closures.

New figures, which include this year to date, are 71 ward closures, each for an average of seven days; 122 bay closures, each for an average of three days; and 628 patients affected.

Infection control consultant Dr Bill Grandsen has pointed out that norovirus has been rife across the country, both in the community and in places where people are crowded together, such as nursing homes, cruise ships and hospitals.

Some estimates are that there may be as many as 200,000 cases a week across the UK, although only a small percentage are reported to doctors.

Dr Gransden refused to be drawn on speculation that the length and intensity of the outbreak are connected to the mildness of the autumn and winter.

But he said people could help by staying away until they have been free of symptoms for 48 hours and by understanding the pressure hospital staff were under.