A Dunedin Hospital general medical ward was closed yesterday to contain a vomiting and diarrhoea bug.
Southern District Health Board (Otago) emergency, medicine and surgery general manager Dr Colleen Coop said 11 patients in 8A were ill, with what was likely to be norovirus.
However, that had not been confirmed and test results were expected today or tomorrow.
Patients started to get ill over the weekend.
No new patients were being admitted to the closed ward, and visiting was restricted.
Anyone wishing to visit a patient in the ward should contact the hospital.
The restrictions were standard procedure to prevent the bug spreading.
The DHB released a statement yesterday reminding the public of the importance of thorough hand-washing and drying after going to the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
"If anyone experiences vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they should avoid preparing food, stay away from work or school until they had been symptom-free for 48 hours, and not visit people in hospitals or rest-homes."
