Wales Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Jewell has issued further advice to the public as to how they can help to avoid passing on infections such as norovirus - the diarrhoea and vomiting bug, which is more prevalent during the winter.

Dr Jewell said: "It is important to remember that if you wish to visit a patient in hospital you should not visit if you are ill yourself, particularly if you have diarrhoea or vomiting, a chest infection, a cold, or flu-like symptoms, to help limit the spread of infection to vulnerable and susceptible patients.

"Where hospitals are managing large numbers of patients with flu-like illnesses or diarrhoea or vomiting, they may have to consider restricting visiting to 'essential visiting' only, to avoid any further spread of infection and to protect vulnerable patients and staff, recognising the need to show local discretion for example where children, critically ill patients and those at the end of life are concerned."

If people do catch the winter vomiting bug, then the advice is:

• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-milky liquids to replace lost fluids;

• Take oral rehydration solution to replace lost salts and fluids;

• Make sure hands are clean to prevent the illness spreading;

• Don't prepare food for other people, especially babies and older people.

Dr Jewell added: "Most healthy people get over winter vomiting bugs within one to three days, with plenty of water and non-alcohol drinks.

"For babies or the elderly, they can become dehydrated quickly, so it is important friends and relatives take extra care of them until they recover.

"If you are concerned about your own health or that of a friend or relative, you should avoid coming into the hospital Emergency Department (A&E) or visiting the GP, as the bug will spread quickly to other patients and staff.

"My advice is to contact NHS Direct, either online at http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk">www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk or by phoning 0845 46 47, or phoning your GP's surgery for advice. This will help to relieve pressure on the NHS at a very busy time, dealing with the additional demand on services as a result of the winter weather."