Members of the public have been advised against visiting a Welsh hospital amid an ongoing scabies outbreak affecting the area for several months.
Individuals have been informed that access to see relatives at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli is now “restricted” following the outbreak, with “a number of cases are currently being managed in healthcare and community settings across the Hywel Dda (University Health Board) area”, encompassing Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion alongside Carmarthenshire.
The health board has declined to specify which wards have been closed or whether certain wards have been disproportionately affected. Stay updated on Carmarthenshire developments by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Beyond visitors, patients scheduled for appointments at the facility may face disruption due to the restrictions, with health officials stating they will endeavour to notify individuals “as soon as possible”.
The NHS describes scabies as an irritating skin condition triggered by mites. Primary symptoms include severe itching, particularly during night-time hours, and/or an elevated rash or blemishes appearing on the skin, reports Wales Online.
While the condition typically doesn’t result in severe medical complications, it spreads extremely easily and is generally transmitted via direct skin contact or through sharing bed linen or garments.
During July, a ward at another hospital in Carmarthenshire – Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen – was shut down after a scabies outbreak, with an “increased prevalence” of the infestation recorded across the region.
Sharon Daniel, executive director of nursing, quality, and patient experience at Hywel Dda, confirmed the new measures imposed at Prince Philip Hospital, stating: “We have taken the decision to restrict visitors to Prince Philip Hospital today to limit the spread of scabies on our site and in our community.
“A number of wards are currently closed due to infection, and we need the support and understanding of our communities to limit further spread.
“We are taking direct action to treat patients, staff, and contacts, and undertake deep cleaning of our wards, in line with infection prevention and control measures.
“Scabies is highly contagious and difficult to eradicate, and we are grateful to everyone for their continued support.
“We will be contacting individuals whose planned care appointments may be impacted by this as soon as possible. This does not impact services provided by the minor injury unit.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
