HEALTH chiefs have warned those who fear they have been struck with winter vomiting bug Norovirus against visiting vulnerable relatives.

It comes after more than 100 care homes in the south west have seen outbreaks of the virus.

In the last three months, 107 care homes have reported outbreaks – up from 83 in the same period last year.

Earlier this month bosses at Great Western Hospitals urged relatives not to visit if they were feeling poorly themselves, after nurses had to isolate beds on one ward following a norovirus scare.

Hospitals in Yeovil and Taunton were forced to shut wards after an outbreak in November.

Closing a ward can be costly – and hard on relatives. No new patients can be admitted until the outbreak is over and visitors are banned.

Public health bosses have urged people to follow four steps to stop the spread of norovirus.

Those with diarrhoea or vomiting symptoms should not visit hospitals, care homes and GP surgeries. You should only return to work after you have been symptom-free for 48 hours.

Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol gels will not kill the virus.

Fiona Neely, consultant in communicable diseases for Public Health England South West, said: “If you have any suspicion that you have the symptoms of norovirus we would urge you to put off that visit to see a loved one in a care home or hospital this Christmas.

“Send someone else in your place, stay away until you have been free of symptoms for 48 hours – and give your relative the gift of a healthy happy Christmas Day.”