AN investigation has been launched at Scotland's most prestigious hotel after more than 100 guests and members of staff were hit with the potentially fatal norovirus.
The Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder has seen a massive outbreak of the vomiting and diarrhoea bug over the past week, with the hotel being forced to take strict measures to limit the spread of the virus.
Staff at the hotel, which is home to Andrew Fairlie's restaurant which boasts two Michelin stars, have been carrying out "rigorous cleaning regimes", while others have been forced to stay away until they are clear of any symptoms for 48 hours.
Infections expert Professor Hugh Pennington, of Aberdeen University, said the hotel –recently named Best Luxury Resort Spa in the UK at The World Luxury Spa Awards –should tell guests there has been an outbreak on their arrival.
He said: "The hotel should warn any guests coming to stay that there has been an outbreak so they can take steps to stop it spreading, such as ensuring that they wash their hands.
"People might think 'why do I need to do this at Gleneagles of all places' but careful hand hygiene is very important.
"Most people can take the virus, although it is pretty nasty, but for the very elderly it can sometimes be fatal."
Mr Pennington said there were three ways the outbreak could have been caused – either by someone coming into the hotel with the virus and passing it on, a member of kitchen staff passing it on through food or through infected shellfish.
He added: "It's a very tough virus and it only takes a small number of particles to pass it on and there's nothing you can do to stop it. It just has to run its course. The hotel will obviously be hoping that it can find the cause of the virus and address it. Staff will definitely have to perform a deep clean of the place – particularly any rooms or areas where someone has been ill."
NHS Tayside said its Health Protection Team and Environmental Health Officers from Perth & Kinross Council are investigating the outbreak, but added that no-one has been admitted to hospital.
A spokeswoman said: "Staff at the hotel are working closely with NHS Tayside and Perth & Kinross Council to implement all the recommended infection control measures.
"As always, anyone suffering from symptoms should be very careful with their hand hygiene and should remain at home until 48 hours after their symptoms have cleared up."
A spokesman for Gleneagles said: "We're carrying out rigorous cleaning regimes and have advised staff with symptoms to stay away until 48 hours after they've been completely clear of the virus.
"The outbreak has affected a mixture of staff and guests, but the hotel has remained open throughout. In the vast majority of cases, we only heard about people falling ill after they had left the hotel following their stay."
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