FACILITIES at Kingsteignton’s Passage House Hotel have been temporarily closed today, March 29, while the place is deep cleaned – after guests have been struck down with suspected cases of Norovirus.

The hotel is still accepting guests but they've decided to keep the leisure club, lounge and restaurant facilities shut 'for the time being'. The Passage House Inn, a distance away from the hotel, is still open for business and unaffected.

The action was taken after guests were struck down with diarrhoea and vomiting, symptoms Public Health England are linking to Norovirus.

A spokesman for the hotel’s owners, Best Western, said the outbreak is ‘unlikely to be related to the hotel’s own hygiene procedures or food preparation’ and that the welfare of their guests is their priority.

He said: ‘We can confirm The Passage House Hotel is working with Public Health England and Environmental Health to contain what appears to be an outbreak of Norovirus.

‘During conversations with the relevant authorities we have been advised that the outbreak is unlikely to be related to hotel’s own hygiene procedures or food preparation.

‘Our priority remains with the welfare of the guests affected and returning them to full health as quickly as possible.

‘The Passage House Hotel is today, March 29, taking precautionary action and has decided to keep the leisure club, the lounge and restaurant closed. To confirm, the Passage House Inn is open for business and has no relation to this matter.’

The 90-room riverside hotel is undergoing a deep clean of all areas as a precaution and to help prevent further people becoming ill.

Public Health England is working with Devon County Council and Teignbridge Council to investigate the outbreak.

Dr Bayad Nozad, Public Health consultant for Public Health England South West, said: ‘We are currently working to ascertain the cause of illness at the hotel but Norovirus infection seems likely at this point in time.

‘Norovirus infection leads to diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal or stomach cramps that people tend to recover from quickly. If affected, it is important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

‘To reduce the risk to others, stay off work or school, avoid preparing food and minimise direct contact with others until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.

‘Do not visit you GP but do contact them if your symptoms go on for more than a few days or if you also have a serious illness. Babies and young children with Norovirus can still drink milk.

‘Public Health England is working with Environmental Health Officers to ensure that appropriate precautions and procedures are in place to minimise risk.’

Norovirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis or ‘stomach bug’ and is easily transmitted from one person to another.

It can be transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming contaminated food or water; or by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

The symptoms of Norovirus infection will begin around 12 to 48 hours after becoming infected.

The illness clears up by itself and the symptoms can last for between 12 and 60 hours. Most people make a full recovery within one or two days, however the very young and elderly should take extra care if infected, as dehydration is more common in these age groups.