22.09.2015

Expert Travel Illness Lawyers Call For Investigation After 50 People Taken To Belgian Hospital

A school trip travelling home to the UK has been delayed in Belgium after 50 children and teachers were taken to hospital reportedly suffering with suspected food poisoning.

Those affected, who are from Guiseley School, are reported to have begun suffering symptoms as they approached the Zeebrugge ferry terminal to begin their journey back to West Yorkshire.

Paul Clayton, acting co-headteacher of the school, said the staff and children who fell ill were kept in hospital overnight on Monday as a precaution. He confirmed that extra staff have been sent to Belgium to help bring the children home.

It is reported that all members of staff and 23 of the children taken ill have now been discharged from hospital and will return to the UK, with the remaining children expected to travel on the overnight ferry from Zeebrugge and return to the UK on Wednesday morning.

Expert travel illness lawyers from Irwin Mitchell, who have vast experience representing those affected by illness outbreaks in the UK and abroad, have called for a swift and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the outbreak.

Elizabeth Tetzner, an expert travel illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

It is extremely concerning to hear reports of the illness which has affected the pupils and teachers of this school during a trip to Belgium. <br/> <br/>"We’ve seen from our experience how such issues can emerge, and it is very worrying to hear that as many as 50 people have been affected by this illness. <br/> <br/>"While the cause of the illness is currently unclear, it is important this issue is treated very seriously, as victims of food poisoning and gastric illnesses can go on to develop long-term health problems as a result of such outbreaks and can see their lives significantly disrupted. <br/> <br/>"It is vital that every possible step is taken to investigate the problems which have affected these schoolchildren and teachers to ascertain what caused them to fall ill. Elizabeth Tetzner - Partner