Public Health Experts Welcome Investigation Into Infection At Popular Eateries

Public health experts from law firm Irwin Mitchell have welcomed an investigation into the Wahaca restaurant chain after over 300 people were taken ill following a suspected outbreak of norovirus.

Public Health England (PHE) have launched an inquiry into the Mexican restaurant chain, which has reportedly closed nine branches - five in London – due to the infection.

The Mirror reported that PHE began their investigation after hundreds of staff and customers fell ill and said a spokesperson told them: "Initial tests suggest the cause of this illness was norovirus. Following these reports, Wahaca voluntarily closed nine sites."

  Deborah Turbitt, London deputy director for health protection for PHE, said the source of the outbreak was yet to be determined and said: "Public Health England has been notified of a suspected norovirus outbreak at a restaurant chain.

"We are working closely with environmental health officers and the restaurant chain to investigate.

"We have so far been made aware of 205 staff and 160 members of the public reporting illness, however these are unconfirmed cases."

The 2005 MasterChef winner Thomasina Mier founded the restaurant chain and Wahaca’s website said some branches has closed due to "unforeseen circumstances.”

Amandeep Dhillon, an expert Public Health Lawyer at Irwin Mitchell has acted on a number of UK outbreaks, representing dozens of people affected by an outbreak of illness at a Newcastle Spice Festival in 2013, and currently being instructed by 300 Claimants affected by a norovirus outbreak at a Toby Carvery in Exeter.  He commented on the Wahaca incident as follows:

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