HOSPITAL bosses are insisting they are prepared for a local outbreak of the winter vomiting bug norovirus, which has forced wards to close across the country.

Jean Hickman, spokeswoman for the West Hertfordshire Hospitals Trust said: "So far this year the trust has not experienced an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, but we have increased staff awareness and staff are vigilant for potential cases.

"The trust would be aware of an outbreak immediately due to a rapid reporting system and would instigate our infection control policy, in line with national guidance.

"This includes isolating patients, disinfecting wards and, dependent on the scale of the outbreak, we may consider closing wards to admissions and visitors during an outbreak in order to protect our patients."

The trust runs Watford General as well as St Albans City Hospital.