HEALTH bosses are calling on communities for help to prevent the spread of winter infections.

An outbreak of influenza or norovirus in hospital could have serious consequences for patients who are already ill and can lead to entire wards being shut down and quarantined.

Health leaders in North Yorkshire are appealing directly to people with symptoms to act responsibly and stay away from GP surgeries, hospitals and other healthcare settings, where possible.

"Influenza and norovirus are particularly contagious and the risk of passing them on to the person you are visiting in hospital who may already be quite ill – as well as other sick people and hospital staff – is extremely high," said a spokesman.

For more visit nhs.uk/norovirus or nhs.uk/flu