Four wards have been closed at West Suffolk Hospital after the number of patients suffering winter vomiting virus doubled.

Staff at the Bury St Edmunds hospital are warning people who are displaying symptoms of the highly contagious Norovirus to stay away in order to avoid further infections.

A total of 58 patients have now contracted the virus - 43 have fully recovered and 15 are still displaying symptoms - compared to 24 last week.

The hospital last week closed two of its wards following the outbreak and, on Monday, it was announced that a further two had been closed to new admissions.

One of the wards was almost fully operational by yesterday afternoon.

Dr Caroline Barker, the hospital's infection control doctor, said most people recovered from the virus within 48 hours but the virus had been known to spread for up to 72 hours.

"When it spreads it doesn't discriminate and it can very rapidly spread around a ward. We want to stop it spreading further and we want to stop it coming into the hospital from outside," she said.

"It's very rarely life threatening, but it's unpleasant and distressing. It also slows down discharges and transfers."

West Suffolk Hospital had a similar outbreak before Christmas, but Dr Barker said it was lucky as, unlike many many other hospitals in the region, it was not affected in January.

She added that although the hospital had a history of cases in March and April, it was unusual to have an outbreak as late as May/June.

Visitors or people with outpatient appointments are being warned to either contact the hospital to discuss any symptoms, including diarrhoea and vomiting, or to stay at home.

Those who do visit the hospital should wash their hands with soap and water as the alcohol gel supplied is not as effective.

People suffering from Norovirus should drink plenty of fluids and take tablets such as paracetamol to relieve a temperature, unless they are very young, very old or frail and are having problems with dehydration.