Poor hygiene may have been responsible for a norovirus outbreak that knocked out seven Hutt city councillors.

Four property developers also contracted the severe stomach bug after being invited to the council-hosted event at Reka Cafe, in the Dowse Art Museum on April 28.

One of Reka’s cooks started to feel sick while working but did not display stomach bug symptoms until the next day, Annette Nesdale, of Regional Public Health, said.

Wait, councilors meeting with property developers? I may barf.