CASES of Norovirus have risen prompting fears of outbreaks in Scottish hospitals.

The latest figures show NHS Boards are experiencing increased norovirus activity including NHS Lanarkshire.

One hospital bay has been closed with two patients affected.

A ward in a hospital in NHS Lothian has been shut for five days with three patients receiving treatment.

Health Protection Scotland said health professionals were "working hard" to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks arising.

Lisa Ritchie, Nurse Consultant, Infection Control at HPS, said: “Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that causes outbreaks in the community, healthcare and care settings.

"Although it is present all year round, norovirus becomes more common in the winter when people stay indoors for longer and in larger groups.

 “To help reduce the risk of norovirus outbreaks, we would once again ask anyone who think they have norovirus to stay at home until at least 48 hours after any symptoms have stopped.