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The owner of a British seaside hotel has apologised after nearly 100 holidaymakers were struck down by what health officials have described as a norovirus outbreak.

Almost everyone who has visited the Cooden Beach Hotel in the last two weeks has come down with vomiting, diarrhoea and other symptoms of the highly-contagious airborne bug.

A Rother District Council spokesperson said it is believed that 100 people have been affected by the so-called 'winter vomiting bug' at the hotel in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Health officials said it is believed that 100 people have been affected by the 'winter vomiting bug'

A sign posted on the door of the hotel warns visitors about an 'airborne virus' at the premises

Owner James Kimber has issued an apology to guests and staff, and has vowed to steam clean the entire guest house to prevent additional cases.

A sign posted on the door of the hotel, where guests enjoy sweeping views of the English Channel, warns visitors about an 'airborne virus' at the premises.

Richard Parker-Harding, service manager for environmental health, said: 'We have received a large number of reports of people who attended the hotel over the past week who have complained of suffering from acute sickness.

'Following tests, we have eight confirmed cases of norovirus, also known as winter vomiting disease, which causes gastroenteritis and is highly infectious.

Owner James Kimber has issued an apology to guests and staff, and has vowed to steam clean the hotel

'The virus is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals from one person to another.

'We believe the other people who have been ill also had norovirus.

'Outbreaks are common in semi-enclosed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and cruise ships and can also occur in restaurants and hotels.'

Earlier this month two cruise ships owned by Royal Caribbean International suffered norovirus outbreaks.

Both docked in San Diego while sailing from Florida, with about 240 passengers on the Legend of the Seas and Celebrity Infinity cruise liners falling ill.