A HIGHLY contagious winter vomiting virus has struck the Countess of Chester Hospital for the second time in two years.

A total of 49 staff and patients have been hit by the Norovirus bug, which this week forced the closure of two wards.

Twenty-five suspected cases have been reported among patients in the Watergate and Meadows wards.

The first case emerged last Tuesday and the second last Thursday.

Hospital chiefs were forced to close both wards to new admissions, forcing patients to remain in isolation.

Both wards have since reopened.

Twenty-four cases have been reported among Countess staff.

Deep cleaning has been carried out where patients and staff have been affected.

Health chiefs say that last week the virus led to the closure of six wards at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, and say Leighton Hospital in Crewe and Macclesfield General have also been affected.

In 2002 nine wards at the Countess were partially closed when staff and patients were struck by the virus.

The Wrexham hospital was alerted to the Countess virus last week and says it may have taken non-emergency patients on its behalf.

Yesterday (Thursday) Countess spokeswoman Lorna Jones said: 'The Trust has had a confirmed outbreak of the winter vomiting virus and all necessary precautions have been put in place. Two areas were closed to new admissions for a short period of time.

'The virus has fortunately been contained and both of these areas are now fully operational again. The virus lasts about 24 to 48 hours and the key symptom is vomiting.

'The virus starts in the community and is brought into hospital. Before visiting a patient in hospital, anyone who has had the virus should be free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.'

Gaynor Tewkesbury, director of nursing and patient services at the Countess, said: '

The first ward closed last Tuesday and reopened on Monday. The second ward closed last Thursday and reopened on Wednesday.'

Dr Alex Stewart, of the Cheshire & Merseyside Health Protection Unit, said: 'The virus can strike anywhere. The Countess is not a dirty hospital.'

Norovirus affects the stomach and symptoms include nausea with vomiting, diarrhoea and cramps.