The Infirmary's infection control plan is put into action

Staff at Rochdale Infirmary said on Wednesday that the virus was limited to the Stonehill block of the hospital.

Some operations have been cancelled and those with minor injuries are being asked to use the NHS walk-in centre opposite the Infirmary.

The illness is self-limiting and the symptoms include fever and diarrhoea, which can last up to 60 hours.

Dr Roger Glew, medical director for the Pennine Acute Trust, which runs the hospital, said:

"We have a very good infection control team at Rochdale Infirmary and they will be working with staff, patients and visitors to ensure that we do everything we can to resolve this problem as quickly as possible.

"Winter vomiting disease tends to result in short, concentrated outbreaks, so we are hoping that we will soon have the hospital back to normal."

Staff at the Infirmary are asking patients to limit the numbers of visitors they receive, and are also insisting on rigorous hand-washing by everyone on their wards as a precaution against transmission of the infection.

'Easily transmitted'

Winter vomiting disease, also known as Norovirus, is easily transmitted through contact with an infected person, consumption of contaminated food or water, or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

The virus is commonly referred to as "winter vomiting disease" because of its seasonality and typical symptoms.

Pennine Acute Trust say there are no long-term effects from the condition.