TWO wards that were closed at the Great Western Hospital last week, after patients and staff caught a virulent stomach bug, have now re-opened.

Viral gastroenteritis is so infectious that 24 patients from Saturn and Neptune wards were isolated to stop the bug spreading.

No new patients were admitted and eight affected staff were sent home. The swift action to contain the bug appears to have worked.

Hospital spokesman Chris Birdsall said: "Isolating those affected and closing wards does the trick in stopping bugs like this spreading. This happens every year between November and March."

There is no cure for the sickness. Doctors advise that victims should drink plenty of fluids and can take pain killers to deal with symptoms.

Viral gastroenteritis, also known as Winter Vomiting Disease, spread through the Saturn ward for respiratory and haematology patients and the Neptune ward for mixed aged adults.

The disease causes vomiting and/or diarrhoea and can be dangerous.