Cardiff Council’s Communicable Disease Team is currently investigating an outbreak of suspected Norovirus associated with the Park Plaza Hotel.
To date, 127 cases of Norovirus have been identified in guests who used a function room in the hotel at Greyfriars Road, Cardiff between 24 and 27 November 2010.
It is estimated that Norovirus typically affects between 600,000 and a million people in the UK each year.
Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis in the United Kingdom, particularly during the winter months. It is also known as the ‘winter vomiting disease’ due to its seasonality and typical symptoms.
Symptoms include vomiting and/or diarrhoea, and usually last between 24 and 48 hours. After this time almost everyone makes a full recovery. However, some people (usually the very young or elderly) may occasionally become very dehydrated and require hospital treatment.
Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Margaret Jones, said: “Unfortunately, it is very difficult to prevent Norovirus occurring in the community. However, taking good hygiene measures, like frequent hand washing, can reduce the spread of infection.
“The Communicable Disease Team has worked with the hotel to ensure remedial measures have been taken. They continue to monitor the situation closely.”
