Dawn Parkes, the chief nurse at the NHS trust which runs York Hospital, said the hospital is “experiencing a high level” of norovirus “affecting a number of wards”.
The hospital has restricted visiting to patients receiving end of life care, babies and children, maternity care, and the family carers of those with dementia.
Ms Parkes said the virus is “highly infectious and causes vomiting and diarrhoea”.
She said it can be brought into the hospital by family, friends or relatives.
“Norovirus is easily passed on by contact with an infected person, especially through their hands, and it spreads very quickly,” Ms Parkes said.
“Most people recover from norovirus within one or two days.
“However, it can be serious for some patients, including those who are elderly, are frail, have a weakened immune system or another health condition.
“While I appreciate that the decision we have is a difficult one, our priority is to keep our patients safe from infection and to stop the spread of the virus as quickly as possible.
“We will lift the restriction once it is safe to do so.”
The York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it will be sharing updates on its website: www.yorkhospitals.nhs.uk
