Wrexham Maelor Wards Closed Due To Norovirus

Two wards at Wrexham Maelor Hospital have been closed to new admissions since Christmas Eve following an outbreak of the norovirus.

Both the Mason and Cunliffe wards are closed as Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board attempts to prevent the bug, which causes severe sickness and diarrhoea, from spreading.

One member of staff and 13 patients have so far been affected by the winter vomiting bug.

There are 50 beds on the two closed wards with six currently not in use according to a spokesperson for the health board.

Visitors are still able go to the wards, however are advised that if they have experienced symptoms of the bug in the past 48 hours that they should avoid visiting the hospital.

The health board has also asked visitors to ensure that they was their hands before and after visiting wards at the Maelor.

According to NHS Direct the first sign of having the norovirus is usually a sudden sick feeling followed by forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

Some people may also suffer from a raised temperature (over 38C/100.4F), headaches, stomach cramps and aching limbs.

Symptoms usually appear one to two days after you become infected but can start sooner and most people usually make a full recovery within a couple of days.

Apart from the risk of dehydration, the illness is not generally considered to be dangerous and there are usually no long-lasting effects.