Recent hospital outbreaks of the norovirus have prompted a call for more public awareness.
Dunedin Hospital, which was badly hit by an outbreak of the highly contagious stomach bug in August, is again facing trouble with the virus.
Most recently, the hospital's geriatric health ward has closed, with three patients and one staff member becoming ill with vomiting and diarrhoea.
Meanwhile, two wards remain closed at Hutt Hospital after the virus was discovered there this week.
Hutt Valley District Health Board spokesman David Graham said from a peak of 11 infected people, five remained unwell.
Although there had been no new cases since yesterday, visiting restrictions were still in place and no new patients were being admitted to the two affected medical wards.
Mr Graham said a rheumatology ward that was usually closed over the weekend would remain open to assist with the overflow of medical admissions caused by the wards' closure.
The hospital was hopeful visiting restrictions would be relaxed by the end of the weekend.
Mr Graham said he thought it was important the community be aware of the situation and what measures could be taken to avoid further outbreaks.
"From the perspective of people visiting a hospital or any institution when they're not well themselves, when they might be queasy or have had vomiting or diarrhoea, it's better not to," he said.
"Strict handwashing is also really important because norovirus is particularly difficult in institutions like a resthome or hospital, because it is easily transferred."
