At least two individuals, one heavily pregnant, were rushed to hospital due to an outbreak of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
More than 20 people fell ill after a ‘mystery virus’ broke out at an Edinburgh conference centre, it has emerged.
At least two individuals, one heavily pregnant, were left in hospital overnight due to an outbreak of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
An independent investigation from the Edinburgh Council’s environmental health team concluded the illness was “most likely caused by a virus”.
The troubling incident happened in March 2024 at the Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue in St Mary’s Street and only came to light in a recent Freedom of Information request.
Edinburgh Live reports inquiries were launched when the mysterious outbreak came just days after several conferences were held on March 26 and March 28.
Individuals who attended the events came down with sore heads, sore stomachs, fatigue, diarrhoea and vomiting.
One afflicted delegate reported being “unable to drink and eat until Saturday evening” after first becoming ill 24 hours prior.
Another said they felt “sick” with a “total lack of energy” and “had to stay in bed”.
Emails between the training centre and affected companies revealed one delegate was still in hospital on April 4, nearly a week after being hospitalised on March 29.
A delegate said: “I am still waiting for confirmation on one of our colleagues as they are still in hospital. Another member who is heavily pregnant had to attend hospital as they were severely ill but has since been discharged.”
Only three out of 22 delegates from one group avoided illness in the short term, according to email correspondence.
Further emails from another delegation read: “I have spoken to our CEO who was one of the affected delegates and she advised that alongside herself, four other delegates fell ill with sickness/diarrhoea. – norovirus symptoms.
“Unfortunately, they won’t be able to pinpoint exactly what they ate, but they all had the soup, as well as a mix of meat/veggie sandwiches.”
Officials initially probed food poisoning as the culprit. Attendees were asked what they ate and when, when their illness started, and what symptoms each person had, though food-borne illness was eventual ruled out by investigators.
Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue offers space for events, training, conferences, exams, and mediations.
Both centre managers and Edinburgh Council were approached for comment by our sister title.
