Another sickness bug hits Scarborough’s Grand Hotel

A SUSPECTED viral infection has broken out at Scarborough’s Grand Hotel, health authorities have confirmed.

Health and council officers were called to the landmark three-star hotel overlooking the resort’s South Bay after guests reported symptoms of vomiting and upset stomachs.

Hotel manager David Aylott said between 20 and 30 guests had been affected.

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He said: “Nothing has been confirmed yet. We have informed guests and the relevant authorities.

“We have an enhanced cleaning programme in place and have called in specialist contractors.”

Mr Aylott added that the suspected outbreak was not connected to previous issues at the hotel.

In 2007, a sickness outbreak there affected more than 100 people, and in December 2004 it was closed for three days after a viral infection affected 14 guests. Two months earlier, 90 visitors and staff had been hit by the bug, which caused sickness and diarrhoea.

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In May 2002, the Grand was closed after 150 guests and 30 staff fell ill. Another outbreak of the Norwalk-type virus hit the hotel in 1995.

Dr Simon Padfield, a consultant in communicable disease control at North Yorkshire and the Humber Health Protection Unit, said he was aware of the reports of a “diarrhoea and vomiting illness” among guests at a Scarborough hotel.

He added: “We are working closely with environmental health officers at Scarborough Borough Council to investigate the cause of the illness.

“At this stage, information currently available suggests that the cause is most likely to be a viral gastrointestinal infection that has spread from person-to-person amongst hotel guests, however this has not been confirmed at this stage.

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“The hotel has been advised to inform all guests and hotel staff of the outbreak and of the strict hygiene measures they can follow to reduce any further spread of the illness.

“Advice on enhanced environmental cleaning procedures that can be followed has also been provided.

“For those affected, the illness has been generally short-lived with the majority now recovering at home, without treatment.”

The Grand Hotel is widely recognised as one of Scarborough’s greatest landmarks. Once said to be the biggest hotel in Europe, it was designed on a “calendar” theme, with four towers for the seasons, 12 floors for the months of the year, 52 chimneys for the weeks and 365 rooms - one for each day of the year.

The hotel was also built in the shape of a V, symbolising the reign of Queen Victoria.

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