Patients at the QMC have shown symptoms of clostridium difficile

Patients at the Queen's Medical Centre have shown symptoms of clostridium difficile or C Diff.

A winter vomiting virus, which shares similar symptoms, is also thought to have spread through the hospital.

New patients are not being admitted to the three wards in a bid to contain the infection and prevent it spreading, a hospital spokesman said.

"The trust currently has three medical wards closed to new admissions as a measure to control the spread of suspected winter vomiting and clostridium difficile.

Superbug symptoms

"Infection prevention and control is one of the trust's main priorities and every effort will be made to reopen the wards to new admissions as soon as it is appropriate to do so," he added.

Two wards remain closed at Lincoln County Hospital where officials said about 10 people were being treated for C Diff.

On Monday, staff confirmed the superbug might have been a contributory factor in the death of 81-year-old Kathleen Fletcher, although it was not the primary cause.

Symptoms of C Diff include vomiting and diarrhoea. It is usually spread on the hands of healthcare staff and other people who come into contact with infected patients or contaminated surfaces, the Health Protection Agency said.