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An American couple spent an uncomfortable flight home to the US after they contracted Norovirus at celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal’s London restaurant.

IT consultant David Jones, 39, and his 38-year-old wife Melissa from Denver were celebrating the end of their stay in London when they decided to splash out on a £277.66 dinner at the two-star Michelin restaurant.

Celebrity chef Blumenthal is known for his highly inventive cuisine – and the couple dined on powdered duck breast and calf’s tail.

However, symptoms of Norovirus – also called winter vomiting flu – developed on their 20-hour flight back to Denver just 48 hours’ later.

Mr Jones told London newspaper the Evening Standard that he was violently ill throughout the flight “on a reasonably frequent basis”.

Blumenthal’s London restaurant – called Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – was closed on Saturday (01/02/14) after the virus was confirmed on the premises.

The symptoms of Norovirus can be severe, with headaches, fever, dizziness and extreme fatigue, quickly followed by violent and repeated episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea.

Symptoms should improve after 24 hours, but often Norovirus leaves patients dehydrated and exhausted. Even sipping water can produce further episodes of vomiting and bowel evacuation, causing pain if the bowels and stomach are empty.

Norovirus is usually passed quickly among people in close contact with each other, which is why it can close hospital wards and lead to passengers on cruise ships being isolated once a liner docks for cleaning and disinfecting.

Severe cases of Norovirus may result in post-infective complications such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or even Crohn’s disease. Vulnerable patients such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses may die as a result of severe symptoms of Norovirus.

Blumenthal has issued an apology to those affected after dining at his restaurant. Dinner is situated in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel – 24 customers and 21 members of Blumenthal’s staff fell ill with the gastric infection. The chef issued a statement following the temporary closure of Dinner:
“My goal has always been to pursue perfection in the kitchen – and to amaze our guests with taste sensations beyond their imagination, rather than expose them to the risk of a really nasty couple of days of heaving.
“I personally have the experience and knowledge about this winter bug and how to contain it immediately.
“I am very sorry for the inconvenience to those customers affected by the cancellations. However, I will reopen the restaurant safe in the knowledge that we have done everything we can do to continue to strive to create the perfect environment and food for my guests to enjoy. I will always err on the side of extreme caution.”

Another of Blumenthal’s eateries was previously shut for deep cleaning as a result of gastric illness – The Fat Duck in Bray was closed after an outbreak of Norovirus five years ago.

Blumenthal’s London restaurant Dinner is expected to remain closed for a week.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of personal injury solicitors and can advise on making a no win no fee claim for compensation for injury or illness as a result of the negligence of a third party – including claims for holiday illness such as gastroenteritis if lapses in hygiene or food preparation occurred at a holiday hotel.

For expert advice on making no win no fee claims for holiday illness contact Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.