A ward at Glangwili Hospital has been closed after a rash broke out.

A hospital ward has been closed following an outbreak of scabies – a rare and highly contagious form of the disease.

Hywell Dada Health Board said the Stephan Ward at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen will be closed while the outbreak is treated “in accordance with established infection prevention and control procedures”.

According to the health board, all patients and their staff, including those without symptoms, have been informed and given treatment.

Crushed scabies, formerly known as Norwegian scabies, is caused by a “Skin rash and thickened skin”., External It contains thousands of mites and may be the cause of a decrease in immunity, although this is not always the case.

The Hywell Dada Health Board said additional infection prevention and control measures had been taken on the ward, including “intense surveillance, management of identified contacts and ongoing support from a team of specialists”.

In his area of ​​control – Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion – he said an increase in measles was contributing to hospital outbreaks.

He added: “The situation will be kept under review and when it is safe to do so, the unit will be reopened with instructions to prevent and control infection.”