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People suffering winter vomiting and diarrhoea infections have been urged to avoid visiting hospitals or care homes.

Manx Care said there had been a rise in cases of norovirus, which commonly heaps pressures on the health service every year.

The health care body said while the highly contagious infection is usually short-lived, some with other illnesses could be severely affected.

People should avoid medical settings for 48 hours after symptoms subside.

A Manx Care spokeswoman said the most effective ways of preventing the spread of the virus included hand washing with soap and water and cleaning household surfaces with detergents containing bleach.

All visitors to the island's hospital have been urged to follow infection control measures by using hand gels at entrances and following the advice of the nurse on each ward or clinical setting.

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