A second ward at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness has been closed due to an outbreak of norovirus.
Ward 6C was closed on Thursday after two patients tested positive for the highly contagious bug, and two more had shown symptoms.
The cardiac ward remains closed, with six patients now having symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, and three patients have tested positive for norovirus.
Yesterday, Raigmore’s Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) ward was also closed to new admissions and transfers, following two patients testing positive for norovirus.
Dr Jonathan Whiteside, consultant in intensive care medicine, said: “While the ITU ward itself is closed to new admissions and transfers we have been able to keep the service running by putting ITU facilities within the theatre recovery area.
“In effect we have moved ITU to a different location which will allow us to admit emergency patients who require this level of care.”
Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, can spread in the air where someone has had diarrhoea or has vomited, and is extremely difficult to contain.
It may also spread by touching surfaces contaminated by the vomit or diarrhoea.
Dr Jonty Mills, consultant microbiologist for NHS Highland, said: “As well as restricting visiting to the affected wards we are asking people not to come to the hospital to visit if they have had any vomiting or diarrhoea within the previous 48 hours.
“By doing this we will be able to limit the spread as much as possible.
“Hospital staff will, of course, be very happy to talk to visitors on the phone.”
There is no specific treatment for a norovirus infection and it is not usually necessary to visit a doctor.
The best course of action is to stay at home, take paracetamol to relieve symptoms of any fever and to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.
People should also adhere to strict hand washing techniques with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus.