Illness affecting diners of a Ryedale restaurant

3 November 2009

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed that they are working with Ryedale District Council to investigate an outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea connected to a restaurant in the Ryedale area.

More than 80 people are known to have developed symptoms after eating at the restaurant between 18th and 28th October. A number of restaurant staff are also known to be affected by symptoms.

Dr Simon Padfield, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for North Yorkshire and Humber Health Protection Unit, said: "We're working closely with environmental health colleagues at Ryedale District Council to investigate the cause of illness.

"Although tests have confirmed that norovirus is affecting a small number of staff at the restaurant, a common cause of illness affecting diners has not been confirmed."

Paul Crossley, Principal Environmental Health Officer at Ryedale District Council, said: "The restaurant's management and staff are cooperating fully with the investigation and the restaurant has taken the precautionary measure of closing temporarily whilst investigations are ongoing."

Ends

Notes to Editors 

• Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of gastroenteritis (stomach bugs) in England and Wales. In the past, noroviruses have also been called 'winter vomiting viruses', 'small round structured viruses' or 'Norwalk-like viruses'.
• The virus is easily transmitted from one person to another. It can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
• The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.  Symptoms often start with the sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.  However, not all of those infected will experience all of the symptoms.  Some people may also have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.
• The Health Protection Agency has the following advice if you or anyone in your family is affected by norovirus-type symptoms:
  • Stay away from school or work until 48 hours after symptoms have ceased
  • Follow good hygiene measures, including thorough hand-washing, particularly after visiting the toilet.
  • Drink plenty of fluids and rest to prevent dehydration.
  • Make sure that any surface contaminated by vomit or faeces is thoroughly disinfected after an episode of illness
  • If symptoms worsen or persist for more than 48 hours, contact your family doctor or take advice from NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
  • Delay any visits to hospitals, care or nursing homes or schools until fully recovered and don't visit people who are especially vulnerable to infection, such as elderly relatives.
  • If visiting someone in hospital, even if you are well, obey the signs for hand washing before entering and after leaving wards.
• Further information on norovirus can be found at:
  http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/norovirus/menu.htm

Issued by Charlotte Farrar 
0113 284 0618
07810 684 104
Charlotte.farrar@hpa.org.uk

Last reviewed: 16 November 2009