Dozens of guests contracted gastro in an NT quarantine facility, Health Department confirms

More than two dozen people fell ill with gastro in an NT quarantine facility, the Health Department has confirmed.

MORE than two dozen people fell ill with gastro in the Alice Springs quarantine facility in October, the Health Department has confirmed.

An NT Health spokesman confirmed that 15 people contracted the virus during their stay in the Todd facility.

The spokesman said it was most likely norovirus, which can quickly spread between people through food and water, as well as on unwashed hands or surfaces that the infected person has come into contact with.

The spokesman did not say how the 15 guests contracted the virus and rejected suggestions it came from the facility’s kitchen.

An inspection did not reveal any concerns about food preparation, not were there any reports of staff illness in preceding days, the spokesman said.

Originally published as Dozens of guests contracted gastro in an NT quarantine facility, Health Department confirms