A Highland hospital has declared an outbreak of the clostridium difficile infection.

A ward at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness has been closed in an effort to stem the spread of the infection.

The hospital declared an outbreak after seven patients contracted c.diff this month.

Five of the cases are patients in the same two wards.

Dr Rod Harvey, associate medical director, said: "We are obviously very disappointed that there has been an increase in cases.

"The situation is being closely monitored and is under control. The routine monitoring we have in place means we have been able to react quickly and take decisive action to contain the outbreak at an early stage."

Staff at the hospital have isolated all patients who have contracted the infection, are increasing the amount of cleaning done and are limiting the use of broad spectrum antibiotics.

C.diff particularly affects patients on strong antibiotics, which means it is a particularly serious problem in hospitals.

Dr Harvey said: "The risks to healthy patients, visitors and staff is minimal.

"The actions we are taking are largely to reduce the risk of the infection spreading within the ward environment. Staff will be contacting relatives of patients in the affected areas to advise them of the situation and to discuss visiting arrangements.

"As a further precaution we have also decided to cancel a small number of patients who require non urgent surgery."