provoked a swift reaction from Hospital personnel last week.

The Royal Gazette learned that newborns and their mothers were at risk of catching the virus when a father visited the maternity ward without warning staff that he had been exposed to the virus.

Executive director of the Hospitals Board Mrs. Sheila Manderson said immediate measures were taken to isolate the patient and staff that had been exposed to the infected visitor.

"The situation was picked up on very quickly,'' she said. "We screened all nurses and a number have been sent home.'' In addition, all physicians of patients with babies in the hospital at the time have been notified, she said.

"All the necessary precautions were taken,'' Mrs. Manderson said.

She said the man caught the virus from another child at home. Both he and his wife have since contracted chicken pox but are recovering at home.

In the past, KEMH has relied on visitors informing staff if they have been exposed to infectious diseases.

"This has never happened before,'' said Mrs. Manderson. "In future we will be asking people whether they have been exposed before they visit.'' And she reminded parents to vaccinate their children especially if parents have never had chicken pox.