Village vomiting virus gets worse

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Heath experts hope the worst of the outbreak is over

At least 110 people have now been affected by an outbreak of norovirus in a Cornish seaside village.

Environmental health officers are investigating the cause of the bug, which has swept through Mawgan Porth.

Residents and holiday makers have reported symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea over the last week.

Restormel Council has advised people to stay away from streams on beaches as recent heavy rain means they are more likely to contain harmful substances.

Always regard streams across beaches with caution, there is an enhanced risk of bugs Geoff Fish, head of environmental health, Restormel Council

Geoff Fish, head of environmental health for the council, said: "There's always a risk if you allow children to play in streams.

"My advice is always to regard streams across beaches with caution, there is an enhanced risk of bugs in the water when there's heavy rain."

He said the water in beach streams may have flowed down from agricultural land, and could contain chemicals and sewage.

Council health officers have been interviewing people affected by the outbreak to try to find out the cause.

Rapid spread

So far it is not being linked to any one location, for example a hotel or restaurant.

Mr Fish said he hopes the virus will just "fizzle out", as more people in the area take precautions against catching it.

Norovirus is a common stomach bug which can spread rapidly.

It lasts a few days and usually clears up by itself. The most vulnerable are the elderly and very young.

The advice for anyone affected is to drink plenty of fluids and not to return to work until at least forty-eight hours after the symptoms have stopped, to avoid infecting others.