Seven tourists are being treated for suspected poisoning after drinking cocktails at a bar in an upscale Fiji resort that\u2019s now being investigated by police. <\/p>\n
Four Australians ages 18 to 56, along with other three people believed to be foreign nationals, were taken to the hospital after being served drinks made at a bar at the Warwick Fiji on Saturday. <\/p>\n
The tourists suffered nausea, vomiting and \u201cneurological symptoms,\u201d according to a statement from Fiji\u2019s Health Ministry, and as of Monday were in a stable condition. <\/p>\n
The case comes just weeks after six tourists died from methanol poisoning after drinking at a bar in Laos, in a case that prompted safety warnings about consuming alcohol abroad. <\/p>\n
Asked whether methanol was to blame, Dr Jemesa Tudravu, permanent secretary for Fiji\u2019s Ministry of Health & Medical Services, said it was too soon to tell. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have the results of the investigation yet and we don\u2019t know if it was spiking or any other cause until we complete our investigations,\u201d he said in a briefing Monday. <\/p>\n
Sydney resident David Sandoe told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation he\u2019d received a call saying his daughter and granddaughter were among those hospitalized. He said they were among a group of people who drank a pi\u00f1a colada cocktail before falling ill. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a group of them in the lounge of this resort and they had a similar cocktail and unfortunately, seven people came down with the symptoms that have been talked about,\u201d Sandoe said. <\/p>\n
He said his relatives were scheduled to fly home late Monday. <\/p>\n
Fiji\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister Viliame R. Gavoka assured travelers to the Pacific nation that the incident was \u201cextremely isolated.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cNo other incidents have been reported either at the resort, or across Fiji. The resort has been operating in Fiji successfully for many years and holds a strong reputation, particularly among our Australian visitors,\u201d he said in a statement Monday. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
The Warwick Hotels and Resorts operates luxury accommodation worldwide, including in the US, Europe and the Middle East. <\/p>\n
In Fiji, king suites offering views of palm trees and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean cost roughly $500 a night. <\/p>\n
In a statement, Warwick Fiji said it was taking the matter \u201cvery seriously.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cAt this moment, we do not have conclusive details, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests,\u201d the hotel said. <\/p>\n
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed that four Australians were receiving support from department officials. <\/p>\n
He said the situation was \u201cvery concerning\u201d and pointed to updated travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs to be wary of drink spiking and alcohol poisoning in Fiji. <\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t leave your drinks unattended. Pay attention when your drinks are being mixed and get urgent medical help if you suspect that something is wrong,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Gavoka, who is also Fiji\u2019s tourism minister, said close to a million tourists visit the island every year and thousands of tourists were currently holidaying on the Pacific Island. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the only reported case of its kind that we\u2019ve experienced in recent memory, and certainly nothing like this has been experienced this year,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we understand the concern, we want to emphasize that the tourism experience in Fiji is typically very safe, and we have acted immediately to try and discover the cause of what made these guests, at this resort, fall ill.\u201d <\/p>\n
In November, the deaths of two Australian teenagers, a British woman, an American man and two Danish women after drinking shots in Laos prompted warnings from several Western nations about the potentially fatal consequences of drinking tainted alcohol. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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