gastroenteritis after a recent outbreak at a Hamilton restaurant affected around 30 people.

Dr. Cann refused to name the eatery involved and said his department was still investigating and had ordered "a series of preventative measures'' which prevented the restaurant from being closed under an emergency order.

He refused to name the restaurant saying to do so would devastate business.

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation and infection of the stomach lining which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Dr. Cann said: "We are trying to solve the problem and find out what had happened - it would be inappropriate to give that information.

"When we get a situation like this we look at the water supply and we look at how food is prepared, processed and handled,'' he added. "The main purpose is to make sure no one else gets sick.'' He said his department did regular checks with the emergency department and with surgeries to see if there had been a rise in new cases.

Dr. Cann said the people experienced "sudden, acute illness which lasted for a period of 12 to 24 hours'' but once the preventive measures were in place, no new cases of gastroenteritis have been reported.

He said: "If people go to a restaurant and get sick they need to report it.''