A ward at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, Wales, has been closed to new admissions following an outbreak of Clostridioides difficile, commonly known as C. difficile or C. diff. The bacterium can cause severe diarrhoea and other intestinal symptoms.
Restrictions and Isolation Measures
Hywel Dda University Health Board, which runs the hospital, confirmed that visiting to the Dyfi Ward is restricted from Wednesday, October 21. Affected patients are being isolated, and the ward closure allows for review and cleaning arrangements to be carried out.
A spokesperson for the health board said: "Visiting to Bronglais Hospital’s Dyfi Ward is being restricted from today (Wednesday, October 21), due to an outbreak of Clostridioides difficile (also known as C. difficile or C.diff)."
Health Advice and Symptoms
The health board has urged people not to visit patients if they are feeling unwell, to limit the spread of infection. The spokesperson added: "People are reminded not to visit patients in hospital if they are feeling unwell. This is to limit the spread of infection and to keep our patients as safe and well as possible."
C. difficile is a type of bacteria that can infect the bowel and cause diarrhoea. Other symptoms can include stomach pain and cramping, a high temperature, nausea, and loss of appetite. The infection spreads through spores in faeces, which can contaminate surfaces and be transferred between people.
