The Health Protection Agency is aware of reports in the media about norovirus being linked to the outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting illness associated with the Fat Duck restaurant in Bray, Berkshire.
The in-depth investigation into what has caused 529 people to date to report being ill after eating at the restaurant is continuing and so far, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has detected norovirus infection in six staff and eight diners and weaknesses in how staff sickness was identified and dealt with.
Based on staff interviews, sickness records and samples taken, it is clear that staff worked while still infectious with norovirus. HPA guidance* states that people should not work in food preparation while they have symptoms/are infectious as a result of diarrhoea and vomiting to avoid the risk of passing the infection to others.
Advice given to the restaurant by the HPA and environmental health officers from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead prior to its reopening last week, included guidance on the identification and management of staff illness.
When the Health Protection Agency's investigation is complete, a full report will be published.