‘Food poisoning' bug is a virus

By Christina Golding

Highly contagious viruses with identical symptoms to food poisoning are leaving hotels scarred by bad publicity.

Environmental health officers are increasingly linking outbreaks of illness to stomach bugs known as SRSVs (small rounded structured viruses).

An investigation at the Adelphi hotel in Liverpool has been dropped when it was found that 80 guests who attended a charity event in May had suffered from a strain of SRSV called Norwalk.

Deputy manager of the Adelphi, Paul Davis, said that the health probe led to harmful local press coverage.

"They haven't done us any justice. It can damage sales and jobs," he said.

Other hotels affected include Butlin's Metropole hotel in Blackpool, which was forced to close for two weeks last year following an outbreak eventually linked to SRSV.

SRSV symptoms include projectile vomiting and diarrhoea. Dr Martyn Regan, health officer of the Liverpool Public Health Department, said the bug can survive in the atmosphere for several days and is quickly spread from person to person.

"It is a problem to control, particularly with large crowds. It can be hard to identify and can be mis-ascribed to food poisoning," he said.