Suspected norovirus outbreak at Glasgow Marriott Hotel

Fifteen guests and four members of staff at the four-star, 302-bedroom Glasgow Marriott Hotel have been taken ill in a suspected outbreak of the norovirus bug.

Health officials from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are investigating the sickness, which was first reported at 11am yesterday.

The 15 guests have been asked to remain in their bedrooms to limit the spread of the illness and the sick staff are staying at home.

A spokesman for Marriott Hotels said that the hotel had contacted the public health authority as soon as the sickness was reported.

"We have written to all our guests explaining the situation and urged them to be extra vigilant with washing their hands," she said. "We don't know what has caused the illness."

Dr Gillian Penrice, public health consultant for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said that the symptoms shown by the guests and staff were very suggestive of the norovirus infection.

"Norovirus infection is a common viral illness present throughout the community and can spread rapidly in areas with a high concentration of people - such as hotels, cruise ships, hospitals and schools.

"We will continue our investigations to confirm the cause of the illness and will monitor the situation very closely."

It is the second time within two months that a major health crisis has hit a Glasgow hotel. In July, 83 people - 63 guests and 20 staff - were struck down with the norovirus bug in an outbreak at the five-star, 319-bedroom Hilton Glasgow hotel.

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By Janet Harmer

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