A man displaying "flu-like" symptoms sparked a superbug scare at A&E at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Patients in the waiting room at the hospital tweeted they were on "lockdown" after what they say there were told was a suspected outbreak of a superbug. Pictures posted on Twitter showed staff in face masks cleaning chairs in a waiting room.

 

@bournemouthecho suspected outbreak of Saudi Arabian superbug apparently. Still not allowed out... twitter.com/nickybizzle78/…

— Nicky Blackmore (@nickybizzle78) October 31, 2012

Patients arriving at A&E were directed to a different part of the hospital while staff assessed all those in A&E and took what the hospital called "precautionary action".

A spokesperson said: “A patient who had recently travelled abroad presented to the Emergency Department at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital unwell with flu like symptoms.

"As a precautionary measure and following recommended guidelines, new patients arriving at the Emergency Department were redirected to an alternative area within the hospital for a short period of time.

"We have assessed and reassured existing patients in the department. We have thoroughly reviewed the Emergency Department and taken precautionary action, and the department remains fully open.”