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Fat Duck shellfish 'led to virus' Fat Duck shellfish 'led to virus'
(10 minutes later)
A vomiting bug which affected some 500 diners at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant was probably introduced via shellfish, a report has found.A vomiting bug which affected some 500 diners at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant was probably introduced via shellfish, a report has found.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the norovirus outbreak in January and February was worsened by the Berkshire restaurant's "delayed response".The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the norovirus outbreak in January and February was worsened by the Berkshire restaurant's "delayed response".
There have been reports of illness in other establishments which used oysters from the same source, the report found.There have been reports of illness in other establishments which used oysters from the same source, the report found.
The Fat Duck said it had not lapsed in its "strict" food preparation methods.The Fat Duck said it had not lapsed in its "strict" food preparation methods.
'Several weaknesses''Several weaknesses'
The outbreak which centred on the Michelin-starred establishment in Bray continued for six weeks between 6 January and 22 February.The outbreak which centred on the Michelin-starred establishment in Bray continued for six weeks between 6 January and 22 February.
An in-depth investigation was conducted by the HPA and environmental health officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.An in-depth investigation was conducted by the HPA and environmental health officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
It concluded that the organism responsible for the sickness was norovirus which was probably introduced via shellfish.It concluded that the organism responsible for the sickness was norovirus which was probably introduced via shellfish.
The report found that oysters were served raw and razor clams may not have been appropriately handled or cooked.The report found that oysters were served raw and razor clams may not have been appropriately handled or cooked.
Investigators noted several weaknesses in procedures at the restaurant which may have lead to the spread of the virus.Investigators noted several weaknesses in procedures at the restaurant which may have lead to the spread of the virus.
I would like to reassure our guests that they can continue to visit us with total confidence Fat Duck spokespersonI would like to reassure our guests that they can continue to visit us with total confidence Fat Duck spokesperson
These included a delayed response to the illness, staff working when they should have been off sick and the use of the wrong environmental cleaning products.These included a delayed response to the illness, staff working when they should have been off sick and the use of the wrong environmental cleaning products.
The report stated that delays may have affected the ability of the investigation to identify the exact reason for the norovirus contamination.The report stated that delays may have affected the ability of the investigation to identify the exact reason for the norovirus contamination.
A spokesperson for the Fat Duck said: "We are glad that the report has finally been published and draws a conclusion to the closure of The Fat Duck and, more importantly, that the norovirus has been identified as the cause and not due to any lapse in our strict food preparation processes.A spokesperson for the Fat Duck said: "We are glad that the report has finally been published and draws a conclusion to the closure of The Fat Duck and, more importantly, that the norovirus has been identified as the cause and not due to any lapse in our strict food preparation processes.
"We were affected by this virus during a national outbreak of what is an extremely common and highly contagious virus."We were affected by this virus during a national outbreak of what is an extremely common and highly contagious virus.
"The restaurant has been open as normal since 12 March and I would like to reassure our guests that they can continue to visit us with total confidence.""The restaurant has been open as normal since 12 March and I would like to reassure our guests that they can continue to visit us with total confidence."
'Well-known risks''Well-known risks'
Norovirus, known as the "winter vomiting disease", is the most common cause of stomach bugs in the UK.Norovirus, known as the "winter vomiting disease", is the most common cause of stomach bugs in the UK.
The virus, which causes sudden vomiting and diarrhoea, is easily transmitted from one person to another by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or drink or touching contaminated surfaces or objects. The virus, which causes sudden vomiting and diarrhoea, is easily transmitted from one person to another by contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or drink touching contaminated surfaces or objects.
The Fat Duck is one of Britain's most celebrated restaurantsThe Fat Duck is one of Britain's most celebrated restaurants
HPA South East regional director Dr Graham Bickler said: "This investigation has been long, complex and thorough.HPA South East regional director Dr Graham Bickler said: "This investigation has been long, complex and thorough.
"It confirms the well-known risks that raw shellfish pose."It confirms the well-known risks that raw shellfish pose.
"Oysters and other shellfish can become contaminated with norovirus originating from human sewage, especially during winter months."Oysters and other shellfish can become contaminated with norovirus originating from human sewage, especially during winter months.
"Individuals infected with norovirus can readily transfer the virus on to foods they prepare."Individuals infected with norovirus can readily transfer the virus on to foods they prepare.
"The virus will remain viable and capable of causing illness in those foods that are not subsequently cooked... the more intensively that food is handled the more likely it is to become contaminated by infected food handlers.""The virus will remain viable and capable of causing illness in those foods that are not subsequently cooked... the more intensively that food is handled the more likely it is to become contaminated by infected food handlers."
The HPA said restaurant staff had co-operated fully with the investigation and that the Fat Duck was able to reopen in March.The HPA said restaurant staff had co-operated fully with the investigation and that the Fat Duck was able to reopen in March.