Legal action is being taken against the former operators of an Ilkley restaurant after an outbreak of a rare gastro-intestinal bug.
The rare giardia lamblia parasitic bug affected 59 people and environmental health bosses have now confirmed they are prosecuting the former team behind the now-defunct Saffron restaurant on Station Plaza.
The outbreak centred on the Ilkley area a
nd because symptoms do not show themselves immediately it was not until last December that all 59 cases had been diagnosed and reported.
The bug, usually associated with drinking untreated water abroad, led health chiefs to issue a warning to GPs and patients in the area to watch out for symptoms such as gastro-intestinal discomfort, nausea, stomach cramps, indigestion and loss of appetite.
Drinking-water supplies were checked and this was ruled out as the source of the bug, which is usually water-borne.
A spokesperson for Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust said: "In relation to the outbreak of gastro-intestinal illness caused by the giardia lamblia parasite in Ilkley, Bradford Council's environmental health department has now sent a prosecution file to Bradford Magistrates Court pending a hearing date.
"The prosecution is being brought under the Food Safety Act and relates to the former Saffron restaurant in Ilkley.
"In light of the proceedings no further details can be released."
The PCT said the prosecution related to the food business operators of the former Saffron restaurant.
The eaterie closed during investigations into the outbreak.
The premises have since been refurbished and re-let to another business.
The full article contains 267 words and appears in EP Leeds First & County newspaper.
