All visiting has been suspended at Raigmore Hospital while staff battle a number of cases of norovirus.
The health board have closed the hospital in an attempt to prevent any further cases, with three wards already closed at the Inverness hospital due to 27 patients showing norovirus sympotoms.
NHS Highland have said they are dealing with a “high number of norovirus cases within the hospital and out in the community”.
Dr Adam Brown, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, explained this decision has been taken to try and reduce the incidence of norovirus within the hospital.
He said: “We have taken the decision today to suspend all visiting at Raigmore Hospital on a temporary basis.
“We currently have a high number of patients in hospital with symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting and we also know it is rife in the community. By reducing the amount of traffic coming in to the hospital we hope that will reduce the risk of any more outbreaks of Norovirus.
“We would ask members of the public not to come in to hospital to visit any ward 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.
“We appreciate your understanding for why we have had to take this decision and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Wards 2C, 5C and 7C are all currently closed to new admissions because of evidence of the virus.
A meeting will be held later this afternoon to consider the outbreak and and whether to reopen the hospital to visitors.