Virus strikes at second hotel in Scarborough

Ten guests and two members of staff at Scarborough's Royal hotel fell ill with the airborne gastroenteritis virus Norwalk last week.

Nick Taylor, general manager of the 137-bedroom hotel, said the guests had picked up the virus while in the town, but it had been brought under control within 48 hours.

The guests and staff fell ill over the weekend of 11 and 12 May, and an "extensive sanitation" operation was carried out throughout the hotel.

The outbreak occurred on the same weekend the neighbouring 277-bedroom Grand hotel was closed because of an outbreak.

One of the Royal hotel guests was briefly hospitalised and the others were asked to remain in their rooms while the cleansing operation was carried out. "Fortunately, it was quite a mild version," Taylor added.

The Norwalk virus is a virulent strain of bacteria, usually introduced by someone who is already infected coming into a hotel.

It can induce abdominal pains, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is not related to the hygiene of a hotel and is not food-borne.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 23-29 May 2002