Visitor restrictions are in place at the Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Middleton due to confirmed cases of norovirus among patients and staff that started over the weekend at the hospital.

The illness is highly contagious and often spreads in places such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and cruise ships. The stomach bug causes bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, which can last for a few days.

Due to the situation, the medical and transitional care units at the hospital are temporarily closed to visitors, although exemptions may be made in exceptional cases.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority says that regular and thorough hand washing can help prevent the spread of norovirus. It adds that any members of the public not feeling well should not attempt to visit patients.