PEOPLE with “winter vomiting” are being urged not to visit their GP or hospital accident and emergency departments.

The Health Protection Agency North-west is issuing advice on the highly infectious illness, which is caused by a virus known as norovirus, Dr Vinay Bothra, a health protection consultant with the HPA’s Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit, said: “People should not visit their GP surgery or hospital A & E unit. They should rest at home, drink plenty of fluids, ensure that their personal hygiene is good, and avoid contact with others. If symptoms persist, patients should phone their family doctor or NHS Direct 08454647.”