A Ninewells Hospital ward had almost as many staff infected by norovirus as patients despite strict control procedures.
Ward 3 had to be closed on December 30 to new admissions after the winter vomiting bug swept through staff and patients.
Despite precautionary and infection control measures being put in place, they failed to prevent the spread of the disease.
A Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) incident report showed that 11 ward staff were affected by diarrhoea and vomiting. Two new cases had been discovered among staff while five were showing symptoms of the bug.
The report, dated January 6, details that, of 24 patients in the ward, 19 were also affected, with nine confirmed as having norovirus.
The ward was closed on December 30. Bay 4 was reopened on January 4 by management while bay 3 opened in the late evening on January 5. However, bays 1 and 2 remained restricted.
The first sign of norovirus is usually suddenly feeling sick followed by forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
There is no specific cure and those infected have to let it run its course, which does not last more than a couple of days
NHS Tayside infection control and management director Dr Gabby Phillips said: “Norovirus is currently circulating in the community and we have seen an increase in NHS Tayside in recent weeks.
“Control procedures were followed by staff in ward 3.
“If members of staff feel unwell and have vomiting and diarrhoea, we advise them to stay at home until they have had no symptoms for 48 hours.
“Visitors can really help us by thinking carefully about visiting relatives and friends while this virus is circulating.”