Palmerston North Hospital is trying to deal with outbreak of norovirus. Hospital authorities say virus has been spreading quickly.

In the past two weeks 62 staff and 36 patients have reported symptoms of the illness.

Three wards in the hospital have been closed. Visitors have been requested to visit only if it is very urgent to prevent any new gastro bugs from coming in. Visitors are asked to use the hand hygiene stations set up at the hospitals entrance and outside the wards.

Hospital spokeswoman Susan Moore says they have been able to manage the situation so far. She says they have brought in the extra staff to cover and others who have been doing extra shifts.