There have been cases of the 'winter bug' reported at Lewisham Hospital. Photo: Juan Luis Passarelli

The stomach bug norovirus, which causes violent vomiting, has swept through East London line boroughs Lewisham and Tower Hamlets.

Both the Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust and the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel have been forced to limit visiting and close wards in an effort to stop the bug spreading.

There have also been outbreaks of the virus reported in two other southeastern London boroughs, Greenwich and Bromley.

A total of 58 people in London have been affected by the winter vomiting bug representing a significant increase on last year’s figure of 35 at the same stage. Norovirus costs the NHS £100 million in a typical year and experts believe cases of the bug could yet rise further.

Dr Rachel Heathcock, from the Health Protection Agency, said: “London is currently in the midst of norovirus season.”

“There is no particular treatment for norovirus so the public can help limit the spread by staying away from their GP practice or hospital if they are unwell so that they don’t introduce the illness to these establishments.”

The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust has temporarily changed its visiting arrangements to help prevent the virus spreading. The hospital is now closed to all visitors except those related to terminally ill patients, maternity patients and children.

Director of Operations and Nursing at the hospital, Claire Champion said: “We recognise the value of visiting to our patients and this step has not been taken lightly. However, I believe these measures are essential to ensure we protect our patients and visitors from a fairly virulent winter bug.”

It emerged on Wednesday night that four patients on the neurological ward at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, have also caught the winter vomiting bug.

As a result, visitation has been restricted and part of a nearby ward has been closed to stop the highly contagious infection from spreading.

The most common symptoms of the virus are nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea, which can last for up to two days.

Sufferers are advised by the HPA to stay at home, to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and to “practice good hygiene to prevent others from becoming infected”.

If you feel unwell with any winter vomiting bug symptoms, please contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or your GP.