Administrators cancelled 17 operations this week as more than 10 nurses and other employees were sent home with the contagious bug, which causes fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Two patients struck by gastro were yesterday in isolation in the medical ward, with 10 more patients shifted to the surgical ward to avoid infection.

The outbreak comes after two Border specialists last week blasted delays in pediatric surgery at the hospital, which has been burdened by nursing shortages.

Hospital chief executive Ray Sweeney said the upheaval could continue.

“Because of the isolation of the 28-bed medical ward until the symptoms of the two patients in there are clear, there are currently 10 medical patients occupying surgical beds,” he said.

“If further surgical cases need to be cancelled next week due to lack of beds and staff, as much notice as possible will be given to the patients affected.”

Mr Sweeney said as long as isolation protocol remained, no new admissions could enter the ward and no patients could be discharged.

The hospital awaits pathology results from Melbourne to try to establish what strain is to blame.

Hospital infection control co-ordinator Sue Nelson said anyone going in and out of the medical ward had to adhere to strict hygiene protocol.

Hands must be washed with soap and water, and gowns, masks and gloves have been made available to staff dealing directly with the infected patients.

Mrs Nelson said anyone who had gastro-like symptoms should avoid visiting the hospital.

The staff members who have been on sick leave have been instructed not to return to work until at least 48 hours after their last symptom.

A Greater Southern Area Health Service spokeswoman said there had been no reported gastro cases among patients or staff at Albury Base Hospital.