Wellington, Jan 17 NZPA - A second North Island hospital has been hit by a an outbreak of what is believed to be the highly contagious norovirus.

A small viral gastroenteritis outbreak has been identified within Ward 14 at Whangarei Hospital. Three patients have been isolated but no staff have been affected at this time.

Last week 11 Thames Hospital staff, six inpatients and two relatives suffered diarrhoea and vomiting and were put into isolation.

Features of the new outbreak at Whangarei are those of norovirus infection -- predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea. The hospital expects to receive laboratory results which will confirm the diagnosis this week.

The ward has been closed to new admissions and visitors were being required to follow strict infection control measures.

Neil Beney, Northland District Health Board's chronic and complex care general manager, said today it was a small outbreak which had been contained within the ward and infection control measures were in place to reduce the risk for other patients within the hospital.

"If visitors from the community are experiencing any symptoms of nausea or diarrhoea, they should reconsider visiting family or friends in hospital, until they have been symptom-free for at least 48 hours," said Mr Beney.

NZPA