Norovirus outbreak shuts three wards at Highland hospital

The main hospital serving the Highlands has been forced to shut three wards as it battles a serious outbreak of the norovirus bug.

The number of patients affected by vomiting and diarrhoea at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness has risen to 27.

Ward 5C, which only re-opened on Wednesday after several days closure to deal with the outbreak, has shut once again after new admissions reported possible symptoms.

As a precaution, the ward has been closed to new admissions allowing the hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control Team to assess the situation and wait for sample results.

Ward 2C and Ward 7C remain closed to new admissions. Ward 2C has 17 patients affected and Ward 7C now has 10 patients affected. Testing has confirmed norovirus is present on both wards.

The virus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, spreads in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or vomited and is extremely infectious. It is important that everyone plays their part in reducing outbreak risks.

Visiting to all three wards is currently restricted.

An NHS Highland spokesman said: “Please do not visit any of the affected wards unless by prior arrangement with the nurse in charge. Hospital staff will of course be very happy to talk to visitors on the phone so they can get updates on how their relatives are.”