WARDS at the Great Western Hospital were today still under strict isolation in a bid to stop a diarrhoea virus from spreading.

The virus, which is similar to the notorious Norwalk virus, was brought into the hospital from the community around two weeks ago and since then around 80 to 100 staff and patients have been affected, although some have recovered.

At present two medical wards, Saturn and Neptune, and the Kingfisher trauma ward are closed.

Also affected are the 50 patients and 23 staff at a rehabilitation facility used by the trust, Langton House.

Ruth Lockwood, senior nurse Infection Control, said: "We have identified a Norwalk-like virus and have set up stringent infection control procedures in line with and beyond national guidelines.

"For example we are giving staff who move around the hospital portable bottles of alcohol gel called Tottles, which they fasten to their belts.

"This means they can keep their hands clean at all times. The alcohol gel is also available outside and on every ward so staff and visitors can kill any germs on their hands.

"We are also not admitting new patients to infected areas and we are not transferring patients who are affected until it is safe to do so. Staff with the virus are staying off work until they are completely clear."

She said nothing could be done to prevent the virus being brought into the hospital.

"It is out there in the community and as it has an incubation period of about 24 hours. People can be infected without knowing it," she said.

The diarrhoea and vomiting virus is common at this time of year and other hospitals are also affected.

It is also not the first time that Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust staff have had to tackle the problem.

In January last year, before the move to Great Western Hospital, patients and staff at Princess Margaret Hospital were hit by a virus which forced bosses to isolate two wards to stop it spreading to other patients.

Rigorous hygiene measures were introduced until the problem subsided about a week later.

There is no specific treatment for the virus and patients are given plenty of fluids until the illness runs its course.