99 patients hit by vomiting bug

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Ninety nine patients at a hospital have been affected by an outbreak of norovirus, the highly-infectious diarrhoea and vomiting illness.

Wrexham Maelor Hospital said patients in 10 wards have displayed signs of the illness which first emerged before Christmas.

Hospital managers are asking visitors and relatives to think twice before visiting relatives and friends.

They said they particularly do not want children going onto the wards.

Norovirus, also known as winter vomiting bug, is a community virus which spreads rapidly from person to person.

In some cases patients at Wrexham were admitted because of the illness, in others symptoms developed after they came into hospital.

Risk of infections

Hospital spokesman Andy Scotson said: "This bug is a particular problem, not just in hospitals, because it spreads so easily from person to person, through direct contact and also through the air.

"To help us control the current situation, we are asking people to cut back on visiting friends and relatives on the affected wards unless it is absolutely necessary.

"In particular we want to discourage children from coming onto the wards."

He added:"As well as reducing the risk of further infection being inadvertently carried into the hospital from outside, we don't want visitors to be at risk of picking up the illness which they could then take back home."

Mr Scotson said anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomiting should not visit patients until they have been clear of symptoms for 48 hours.

Patients due to go into hospital for operations need not be concerned as patients are not being admitted to wards affected by the outbreak., he added.

Clinics and outpatient work at Wrexham Maelor will continue as normal.

Mr Scotson also said everyone can help protect themselves from norovirus, as well as other illnesses, by following good hand hygiene, whether in hospital, at home or out and about.