FOR most people today should have meant a return to work but many in Swindon are still bedridden by a mystery bug.

And with GP surgeries across the town claiming to have been swamped by patients with flu-like symptoms the Great Western Hospital is asking anyone with the illness to stay away.

Many victims have been laid up for days, suffering violent vomiting and diarrhoea.

Now hospital officials are fearful the highly contagious bug would be easily spread by sufferers visiting relatives in the confines of the hospital.

Chris Birdsall, Great Western Hospital spokesman, said: "If people are ill we would encourage them to consider very carefully visiting relatives in hospital.

"Bearing in mind people here are in close proximity it would be easy for the illness to spread.

"We want people to think carefully about bringing their germs into hospital and ask them to wait until they are clear of the symptoms unless it is absolutely necessary."

Yesterday's Advertiser reported how the festive season had been ruined for many people in the town by a mystery illness.

Dr Peter Swinyard, of Phoenix Surgery in Toothill, said in one day he had seen more than 20 patients with the bug before lunchtime.

And Dr Kandy Kandiah, of Sparcells Surgery, volunteered to work on Christmas Day with the newly formed out-of-hours GP service.

That night the team-based in Shrivenham Road visited 14 sufferers in the space of two hours.

Dr Kandiah said: "It would definitely be a bad idea for people with this to go visiting relatives in hospital because it is quite contagious now.

"The best thing people can do is stay at home, drink plenty of fluids and take pain killers."

Lynda Wearn, assistant director of public health at Swindon Primary Care Trust, said: "Bugs like this are highly contagious and thrive in warm, confined spaces.

"Symptoms can include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or blocked nose and aching limbs.

"Some people may also experience diarrhoea and occasional vomiting."

Labour MP for South Swindon, Julia Drown, was among those whose festive break was blighted by the bug.

Gareth Bethell