Walsall hospital closes ward due to norovirus

A West Midlands hospital has confirmed a ward has been closed due to the winter vomiting bug norovirus.

A spokesman for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust said infection control procedures had been put in place at Walsall Manor Hospital following the outbreak.

Ward 16 has been closed to all new admissions, transfers and patients' relatives and friends.

He added nine patients are displaying symptoms of the virus with a further one confirmed case.

Still infectious

Amir Khan, medical director and director of infection control and prevention at the trust, said: "Norovirus is a stomach bug which causes sickness and diarrhoea and is very easily spread from person to person.

"The spread of infection is easiest in places where groups of people are together for a reasonable amount of time, such as hospitals."

He said the virus lasted for about two days with the only treatment being plenty of fluid to maintain hydration.

But even after the symptoms have cleared up, people may still carry the virus and infect others for up to three days, he added.

Anyone concerned about not being able to visit a patient is asked to discuss it with the nurse in charge of the ward by telephoning the hospital.