Branch closed

50 guests fall ill with virus after visiting McDonald’s

The McDonald's branch (symbolic image) in Amstetten was closed on Friday for basic cleaning.(Bild: J_News_photo)

Dozens of people have fallen ill with diarrhea after visiting a McDonald's branch in Amstetten, Lower Austria. According to the district administration, 50 cases of norovirus have been reported so far.

According to the Austrian army, 16 soldiers from the barracks in the district town were also infected, ORF reported on Friday. The restaurant was closed on Friday for basic cleaning. "Causes in the hygiene or food area of McDonald's could be ruled out," the company emphasized.

Several people in hospital in Amstetten
According to reports, several people have been treated for nausea and vomiting at Amstetten Regional Hospital since Wednesday evening. They are believed to have previously visited the same fast food outlet. The food inspectorate then checked the restaurant.

Branch to reopen on Saturday
"After an immediate examination by the authorities, it was confirmed that noroviruses, which are transmitted directly from person to person, were the cause of the cases of illness in Amstetten", company spokesperson Wilhelm Baldia said on Friday in response to a request. The store should be open again from Saturday.

Noroviruses are highly contagious. According to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), they are one of the most common causes of virus-related infections of the gastrointestinal tract worldwide.