Visitor restrictions in place at Letterkenny University Hospital after an outbreak of a so called 'superbug'.
It's understood a small number of patients have been diagnosed with an antibiotic resistant illness.
The outbreak of the so-called superbug CPE (Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacterales) has closed a part of the hospital in Co Donegal and has effected a small number of patients.
CPE are bacteria that live harmlessly in the gut of humans and for most patients who carry CPE it never causes any illness.
However, if these bacteria get into the wrong place, such as the bloodstream or bladder, they can cause infections and destroy antibiotics.
The hospital says the situation is being monitored closely and the visiting restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible, based on local assessment.
A number of beds are closed to admissions in Medical Ward 5 as part of ongoing control measures and it's believed this has contributed to longer waits for some patients who need to be admitted.
A spokesperson says the infection prevention and control measures in place include appropriate patient placement, deep cleaning, and environmental remedial works and enhanced CPE surveillance.
Members of the public are also being asked to only attend the emergency department in the case of real emergencies and to contact their GP or GP out-of-hours service in the first instance.
