FORTY people have now been struck down with sickness and diarrhoea after a Huddersfield party.
All are thought to have been guests at a prominent social event in Huddersfield.
The Health Protection Agency has been called in to investigate the outbreak, but has refused to reveal the location of the event.
Guests began to feel ill some time after eating a meal at a reception for 150. It was held on Friday June 3 at a well-known location to the south east of Huddersfield town centre.
The source of the infection has not yet been identified, but it is thought to be food-related.
A spokesman for the Agency said: “Investigations are ongoing. However we’re currently aware of around 40 individuals who have confirmed they have been affected by symptoms of gastrointestinal illness (GI), including diarrhoea and vomiting.
“Health professionals are continuing to carry out microbiological and epidemiological investigations and are continuing to make contact with all those who attended the event as part of these investigations.
“This is to try and establish the cause of illness, total numbers of those affected and to provide any necessary health advice to prevent further spread of the illness.”
The laboratory tests are due to be completed by Monday, when it is hoped that the source of the outbreak will become clear.
The spokesman added: “It is important to be aware that is not always possible to identify a source where outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness occur.”
A friend of one of the guests attending the reception, who wished to remain anonymous, said yesterday : “One of my friends has been really poorly with it. She has been very ill for several days.
“She got a phone call from the organisers asking how she was.
“They are apparently ringing round everybody trying to find out how many people are affected.”
Dr Ebere Okereke, consultant in Communicable Disease Control at West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit said: “Individuals affected all attended the same event.
“We’re working closely with those affected as well as with NHS partners and environmental health officers at Kirklees Council to investigate the cause of illness.
“Anyone affected by gastrointestinal illness at any time should pay special attention to hygiene to prevent further spread of the infection.
“Investigations to date have not identified any ongoing health risk to the wider community.”
Gastrointestinal illness (GI) is often caused by eating contaminated food. Toxins are made by bacteria in food that has not been handled, stored or cooked properly.
Common GI infections include salmonella and E.coli.
