Two patients are in hospital in the Westerns Isles with “flu-like symptoms” as swine flu was identified as the main strain in the area.
Since the start of the winter three patients have been taken to hospital with flu and a number of patients have been sent for further treatment to hospitals on the mainland.
NHS Western Isles declined to reveal if the patients had swine flu.
Infection control measures have been put in place to deal with the two patients and medical staff in the wards have been reminded they have been offered flu jabs.
The virus caused a global pandemic five years ago and four people have died from the H1N1 strain across Scotland this winter.
Colin Campbell, 52, from Skye was one of them. He had been moved to hospital in Glasgow after suffering from a heart attack and was found to be carrying the H1N1 strain of flu.
An NHS Western Isles spokeswoman said: “There are well-established procedures in place for the control and management of infection, including the use of gloves, aprons and gowns, when nursing patients with flu-like symptoms and, importantly, hand hygiene at all times. Patients with flu-like symptoms who do not require high dependency care are cared for within single rooms. All NHS Western Isles staff are offered the flu vaccination annually, and clinical staff have been reminded that the flu vaccination is still available to them.
“There are currently two patients in hospital in Stornoway with flu-like symptoms.
“We cannot comment on any individual patients, or the diagnosis of any patients sent to mainland hospitals.
“The H1N1 virus is one of the winter flu strains that circulate every winter, which causes the same types of symptoms and illness as other strains of flu.
“Again, for the most part seasonal flu – including H1N1 – remains a self-limiting illness usually followed by a full recovery, which can easily be managed at home with rest, plenty of fluids and simple analgesia. This remains the advice.”
Anyone in at risk groups developing flu-like symptoms is urged to contact NHS 24 or their local GP.
Free vaccinations are available for people in a high risk group, aged over 65 years and pregnant women.