Swansea's Morriston Hospital restricts visitors after scabies cases are confirmed in the third Welsh hospital outbreak in months

Swansea Bay University Health Board has confirmed scabies cases at Morriston Hospital, imposing visiting restrictions and offering treatment or guidance to affected patients, staff and relatives. The mite-borne skin infection, which causes intense itching and a blotchy red rash, spreads rapidly through close skin contact.

This is the third Welsh hospital hit in months — Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli was struck last month, and crusted scabies closed a ward at Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, in July.

The health board says case numbers remain small and urges anyone with concerns to contact their local pharmacy or GP.

Crusted scabies, the strain that hit Carmarthen, is described as rare and 'highly contagious' — far harder to contain than common scabies.