Visitor restrictions have been put in place at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) because of a gastrointestinal outbreak.

The hospital says this is after "a number of patients" are suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms, which are currently under investigation.

It adds that all necessary infection prevention and control measures are being put in place to manage this outbreak.

In total there are 14 patients showing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting in two wards at UHL.

This has resulted in a complete ban on visitors to Ward 3A, with restricted visiting in place on Ward 3C.

The hospital also wants to reduce footfall to all areas of the hospital, to better manage the outbreak and facilitate cleaning.

It says only one visitor per patient is allowed until further notice during visiting hours.

Members of the public are also being reminded not to bring children on visits anywhere in the hospital.

Parents of children in paediatrics and relatives of those in critical care are the only exceptions to this restriction.

In particular UHL is appealing to people who may be unwell with gastrointestinal symptoms themselves not to visit the hospital - and for patients presenting to hospital with such symptoms to immediately inform staff.

The hospital's Department of Microbiology is currently investigating the cause of these symptoms.