One of Dublin's best-known restaurants has temporarily closed after being identified as the possible source of an outbreak of the potentially fatal E coli O157 infection.
O'Connell's Restaurant, at Bewley's Hotel, Ballsbridge, voluntarily closed its doors late on Wednesday. An investigation was under way at the premises yesterday, as public-health and disease-control officials tried to identify the source of the disease.
O'Connell's has been listed for the past three years in the Bridgestone Best In Ireland Guide, and in Georgina Campbell's Jameson Guide. In the 2002 Jameson Guide, it was awarded a demi-star rating, one of only 12 awarded in Dublin.
The first case came to light earlier this month in the US. The Irish authorities were notified. When more cases were reported, O'Connell's emerged as the "common denominator", said one source.
The restaurant's manager, Ms Linda Dignam, said there had been five confirmed cases and a further two probable cases, all of which came to light in the past fortnight. Those affected have returned to full health.
Another group of people has displayed gastrointestinal symptoms linked to the E coli O157 bug. O'Connell's said it was too early to say if their condition had been caused by the bacteria.
When asked when the restaurant would reopen, Ms Dignam said O'Connell's could not add to a statement released by it and the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) yesterday.
It said: "There are now indications that there may be a possible association between the cases and eating in O'Connell's Restaurant in Bewley's Hotel, Ballsbridge.
"The management and staff of the restaurant are co-operating fully in the investigation and, as a precautionary measure, have effected a voluntary closure until the investigation is complete."
O'Connell's is run by Rory and Tom O'Connell and Ms Hazel Allen. The O'Connells are brothers of the TV chef Darina Allen. Ms Hazel Allen is married to Mr Robert Allen, brother of Tim Allen.
Officials from the ERHA are working with health board officers, the National Disease Surveillance Centre and the Food Safety Authority to try and determine the source of the outbreak.
The restaurant seats 230. Several thousand ate there in the period now under examination. The disease can take up to 14 days to incubate.
Dr Darina O'Flanagan, director of the National Disease Surveillance Centre, said the full extent of the outbreak may not yet be apparent.
E coli O157 causes a gastrointestinal illness with vomiting, diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain. The illness can give rise to serious complications including renal failure. A 1996 outbreak in Scotland affected more than 500 people and led to 21 deaths. Some 70 cases were reported in Ireland last year.
People who ate in O'Connell's between July 22nd and August 22nd, and developed symptoms, should contact a special ERHA helpline at 1800 38 38 00.
