Vigilance call over bug outbreak

Four cases have been confirmed at the Atholl Hotel in Aberdeen

Diners at an Aberdeen hotel which is at the centre of an E.coli 0157 outbreak have been urged to remain vigilant for signs of the bug.

Medical experts have confirmed four cases of the disease at the four-star Atholl hotel.

Two other diners are waiting for test results. It is thought cold cooked meats from the venue could be to blame.

Doctor Diana Webster from NHS Grampian said that GPs have been warned to be on the look-out for symptoms.

NHS Grampian's health protection team have said that those affected all ate at the Atholl Hotel on Tuesday.

The premises have been inspected and samples of food taken in order to identify the source of the infection.

NHS Grampian and environmental health officers from Aberdeen City Council are investigating the outbreak.

No deficiencies in practice have been identified Grampian NHS statement

A media release from Grampian NHS said: "There is no evidence to suggest any risk to the wider population.

"The hotel premises have been inspected and samples of food have been taken in an effort to identify the possible source of the infection.

"No deficiencies in practice have been identified."

It added that the hotel management was "co-operating fully with the investigation".

Health chiefs said that while they could not be sure of the exact cause, they were looking at the cold cooked meats which have been served.

It has been confirmed that the meats were cooked by the hotel on the premises.

Full inspection

In a statement Gordon Sinclair, manager of the Atholl Hotel, said: "The environmental health department have carried and full and thorough inspection at the hotel.

"Their summary report states that all areas, practices and food safety systems are satisfactory and clearly meet the required regulations.

"We continue to offer them our full support. No further comment will be made until investigations are complete."

As a precautionary measure, the hotel has taken the decision to stop providing cold cooked meats on the menu until investigations are concluded.

Last month, an E.coli outbreak in Paisley led to the death of one woman and eight others also suffered from the infection.

The Atholl Hotel is open for business.