Stomach bug closes hospital wards

UK doctors say 100,000 people a week are catching norovirus

Wards have closed in eight Welsh hospitals due to the spread of stomach bugs causing diarrhoea and vomiting.

Three wards in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan have closed to new admissions.

Eight wards at Wrexham Maelor and Glan Clwyd hospitals have also been hit and four wards in Newport, Abergavenny and Dewi Sant in Pontypridd.

But the deputy chief medical officer said that the prevalence of norovirus is no greater than in previous years.

In a letter to assembly members, Prof Mike Harmer added norovirus was not causing any major concerns but that the closing of wards to new patients was known to be effective in limiting the spread of the virus.

But he warned that this situation could change with the end of the school holidays.

"We are monitoring the situation closely, but at present, there is no reason to suppose that there is a major outbreak of norovirus infections in Wales," said Prof Harmer.

An outbreak at Aberystwyth's Bronglais Hospital affected 68 beds.

A spokesman for Bronglais said the cause of the outbreak was being investigated.

"We've got a general surgical ward, a general medical ward and an orthopaedic ward closed at the moment."

A spokeswoman for Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust said 34 patients were experiencing the symptoms of a stomach bug, while five members of staff were off with diarrhoea and vomiting.

She also confirmed two wards at Llandough Hospital and one at the University Hospital of Wales had been affected.

WARD CLOSURES: Bronglais, Aberystwyth: Three wards Dewi Sant, Pontypridd: One ward Glan Clwyd, Denbighshire: Two wards Llandough, Vale of Glam: Two wards Nevill Hall, Abergavenny: One ward Royal Gwent, Newport: Two wards University Hospital, Cardiff: One ward Wrexham Maelor: Five wards Q&A: Norovirus

Two wards have also been closed to admissions at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and one at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny.

A Gwent Healthcare Trust spokesman said: "Some of it seems to be the norovirus and some of it seasonal D and V (diarrhoea and vomiting).

"There are indications there is some out in the community as well which is quite usual for this time of year. We are being extra vigilant."

On Friday three wards at Wrexham Maelor Hospital were closed to new admissions after 70 sickness cases were found in 10 days.

Some of those were diagnosed as cases of norovirus, the stomach bug sweeping the UK.

Two wards there were also partially closed.

Two wards are still affected at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan in Denbighshire.

Royal Glamorgan NHS Trust said that two wards are closed to new admissions at the Dewi Sant Hospital in Pontypridd.

One staff member has been affected and nine patients.

A warning has been issued by the Royal College of GPs over an increase in the number of cases this winter.

Doctors estimate more than 100,000 people a week across the UK are catching norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

Workers have been told they need to remain at home for 48 hours after the symptoms have gone and stay away from surgeries and hospitals.

The Health Protection Agency confirmed the number of UK cases this year is the highest since 2002.

However, the National Public Health Service for Wales said it was not currently aware of the virus spreading above expected levels.

It said there was usually a rise in cases at this time of year.

But Swansea NHS Trust said cases of diarrhoea and vomiting were lower than normal for this time of year.

Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust said there were no confirmed cases at the Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot hospital but there have been cases of diarrhoea and vomiting.

Merthyr Tydfil's Prince Charles Hospital, Prince Philip in Llanelli, West Wales General in Carmarthen and Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor reported no problems.