Experts Concerned After Norovirus Outbreak at Butlins Resort
15/06/2011
Experts at Irwin Mitchell have demanded answers after an outbreak of Norovirus at a Butlins Resort in Bognor Regis left more than 200 holidaymakers suffering from illness.
Both visitors and staff at the resort became ill after the outbreak and health authorities and fellow staff are now investigating the cause of the problems, which first became apparent over the weekend.
Butlins asked customers who were affected by the virus to leave the resort, and they are now being offered a refund for their holiday. Holidaymakers who were due to arrive at the resort have been given the choice to change the dates of their stay, or to rearrange their break and go to another resort.
Irwin Mitchell is home to travel law experts who have more than 15 years of experience in assisting people who have suffered from severe illnesses whilst on holiday, either at home or abroad.
One notable case was brought against the Torremolinos Beach Club hotel, where 1,000 British guests were affected by serious illnesses including Norovirus and Salmonella, Irwin Mitchell helped to secure justice for the holidaymakers.
Partner and head of the law firm’s travel law team Clive Garner said: “We are concerned to hear about the problems faced by so many visitors and staff working at the Butlins site in Bognor Regis.
“As we have seen in so many of our cases, Norovirus normally causes severe short-term symptoms. Unfortunately, for many who suffer the condition it can lead to long-lasting and even permanent health problems.
“For the sake of all of those affected, it is vital that authorities work quickly to determine how this outbreak started and whether its spread could have been prevented.
“There are well recognised steps that should be taken to contain an outbreak of Norovirus. We do not know yet whether Butlins followed these steps fully and at the appropriate time, but failure to do so could have caused the unnecessary spread of illness amongst guests. The timing of the containment measures and the efficiency with which they were carried out will need to be fully investigated.
“It is also unclear whether any guests at Butlins suffered illnesses other than Norovirus. In some of the dozens of illness outbreaks we have successfully dealt with, an incorrect label of Norovirus has initially been given by others. Our later investigation in those cases has identified that rather than Norovirus, the actual cause of illness has been Salmonella or e-coli food poisoning.
“We will be carefully monitoring all aspects of this particular outbreak and the investigation into it and we are keen to hear from anyone who has suffered illness at the Bognor Regis Butlins.”
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