Holiday firm in hotel controversy

Thousands have enjoyed swimming at the resort

A major tour operator has been criticised for continuing to send tourists to a hotel suffering its second health scare in three years.

Twenty-two British holidaymakers staying at the Club Aguamar complex in Majorca have been struck down by the cryptosporidium parasite.

The tourists, mainly from Scotland and Lancashire, suffered cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting after catching the water-borne illness.

If people who have contracted the parasite go to other pools in the area there could be an epidemic

Brenda Wall, Holiday TravelWatch

They were diagnosed by their GPs after returning from the all-inclusive resort, which costs a family of four £2,000-£2,500 for a two-week stay.

In 1997 more than 300 people fell ill at the 1,600-bed complex after contracting the deadly salmonella bug.

JMC Holidays, which is owned by Thomas Cook, said it was satisfied there was no cause for concern.

A spokesman said: "We are confident that the hotel is being managed in a safe manner. Monthly audits show it is one of the most hygienic hotels in Europe."

But Holiday TravelWatch, which has been liaising with all the affected guests from Club Aguamar, said the hotel's plumbing system could be harbouring the parasite.

Director Brenda Wall said: "Since it is a water-borne parasite it is very hard to eradicate.

Cryptosporidium: a water-borne illness

"It could be in the water so the hotel needs to be closed while the whole system is flushed out. If people who have contracted the parasite go to other pools in the area there could be an epidemic.

"This is a very serious situation."

A spokesman for JMC said tests had failed to identify the presence of the parasite in the swimming pools.

But JMC asked the 1,600-room Club Aguamar resort to suspend use of the pools as a precautionary measure while chemical treatment and further tests were carried out, he added.

Guests currently staying at the hotel were offered use of alternative facilities, he said.

As many as 4,000 guests have already enjoyed holidays at the resort this year, the spokesman added.