Another outbreak of a Norwalk-like virus is forcing a partial ban on visitors at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton.

The hospital has treated four confirmed cases, and 10 to 15 others have shown up with similar symptoms. The gastro-intestinal virus is similar to the one that swept schools and nursing homes over the holidays, causing sudden and severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Only one or two adult immediate family members are permitted access to patients at a time, hand rinse is available at all entrances of the hospital, and absolutely no visitors experiencing any Norwalk-like symptoms are allowed in.

As well, patients with the symptoms are being isolated.

Nursing officer Gerri Geldart says the rush of sick people means fewer beds available for in-patients, and longer waits in the emergency department before patients can be admitted.

"Some of them have been waiting a day or so in the emergency department, which is not what we like to see," she said.

Geldart says the viral outbreak is also affecting elective surgeries, with 17 procedures cancelled so far this month, which is twice the average for January.