Warning issued to public following vomiting bug outbreak at Dublin hospital

Members of the public have been advised not to make any non-essential visits to Tallaght Hospital following an outbreak of the highly-contagious winter vomiting bug.

The Dublin-based hospital has been forced to implement visiting restrictions, which are due to be reviewed on a daily basis, on account of the norovirus outbreak.

Releasing a statement in the wake of the outbreak, the hospital asked the public to postpone visits except in cases of critically ill patients and parents of children in the National Children's Hospital.

Elaborating on the newly-implemented restrictions, the statement explained: "Restricted visiting arrangements are necessary due to a number of patients being treated at the hospital with Norovirus. The restrictions will be reviewed on a daily basis."

"The hospital’s outpatient departments are operating as normal but patients are asked not to attend if they have symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea and instead to contact the hospital to reschedule their appointment."

As it stands, children are not allowed visit either the adult or Children's Hospital, but emergency services continue to operate as normal.