Ward nine at Noble's Hospital has been temporarily closed to new admissions, after an illness affected a number of staff and patients.

The DHSS says it's characterised by vomiting and diarrhoea, and is probably due to viral gastroenteritis.

The situation is being managed by the Infection Control Team and visitors to the hospital are being asked to comply with the strict hygiene precautions which have been put in place.

People suffering from the illness are being told to wait 48 hours after all their symptoms have ceased, before visiting Noble's or Ramsey and District hospitals, or any of the Island's care homes.

They are also being told not to attend the accident and emergency unit at Noble's or the minor injuries unit in Ramsey.

Instead they should contact their GP by telephone.