Fijian and Australian officials said Monday that seven international visitors were admitted to a luxury resort in Fiji due to a suspected incidence of alcohol poisoning.
After consuming cocktails at a bar at the five-star Warwick resort close to the town of Sigatoka, the visitors—among whom, according to local media, was one American—were admitted to the hospital. Two unnamed foreign nationals and four Australians were also in the group.
According to The Associated Press, which quoted Fiji Health Ministry spokesperson Jemesa Tudravu, they were admitted to the hospital due to neurological symptoms, nausea, and vomiting.
According to Fiji Tourism Minister Viliame R. Gavoka, who was quoted by the AP, five individuals were released from the hospital on Monday, while two remained in stable condition.
Officials stated that it was too soon to determine whether tainted wine was a contributing factor in the guests’ illness, and the cause was not immediately apparent.
This situation is comparable to one that occurred last month in the Southeast Asian nation of Laos, when six tourists—including two teens from Australia and one from the United States—died after consuming alcohol laced with methanol.
According to Gavoka, no other cases of the same sickness have been reported at the resort or anywhere else in Fiji, a country of around 930,000 people in the South Pacific archipelago. He claimed that the Warwick resort, which is situated on Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji, on the Coral Coast, has a solid reputation.
According to the AP, Gavoka stated, “The resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substituting ingredients or altering the quality of drinks served to guests.”
As it awaits test results from the authorities, the resort is taking the situation extremely seriously and is undertaking a comprehensive investigation, according to a representative.
We do not currently have definitive information, but we are dedicated to making sure our guests are safe and healthy,” the spokesperson, Savaira Molaucake, emailed NBC News.
Four Australians were hospitalized over the weekend, and Fiji police were looking into what caused their sickness, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
He stated that the friends and family of those impacted are on our minds and that they are undoubtedly going through a very trying period.
Australian David Sandoe, whose daughter and granddaughter were among those impacted, told Sky News Australia on Monday that the hotel and Fiji police had done a great job of keeping everyone updated and that they were returning to Australia after being given the all-clear to leave.
Additionally, Australia has revised its travel advise for Fijito, alerting travelers to the possibility of methanol poisoning or tampering with alcoholic beverages.
Chalmers advised not to leave your beverages alone, to pay attention when they are being mixed, and to seek immediate medical assistance if you think something is off.
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