Albert Park Melbourne: disastrous wedding as a gastro epidemic hits at least half of the 300 guests
A wedding went from fun to disaster when more than half of the 300 guests were affected by a suspected gastrointestinal outbreak.
Family and friends were partying at Park Melbourne on September 16 when they began to become seriously ill.
Witnesses said a flower girl was one of the first to fall ill.
In the days that followed, a parade of guests, from toddlers to elderly people, began suffering from vomiting, high fevers and, in some cases, hallucinations.
According to one estimate, “at least 30” people fell ill while another source claimed that half of the guests were no longer feeling well.
Bahaa Harb, manager of the Park and River’s Edge sites, told Daily Mail Australia he was investigating the cause of the “reported outbreak”.
Family and friends were celebrating at Albert Park’s wedding reception and ceremony venue at Park Melbourne on September 16 when they began falling seriously ill.
In the days that followed, a parade of guests, from toddlers to elderly people, began suffering from vomiting, high fevers and, in some cases, hallucinations.
“We are working closely with event guests and the council to determine the cause of the outbreak,” Harb said.
It is understood that children at the wedding ate burgers, while adult guests were served chicken and pork.
Mr Harb said Port Phillip Council had approved a “precautionary deep clean” at the site.
Victoria’s Department of Health also confirmed it was involved in the investigation into the outbreak.
“The department is aware of an outbreak of gastroenteritis involving guests who visited a visitor center in Albert Park on Saturday,” it said in a statement.
“We are working with Port Phillip Council to investigate the source of the outbreak and ensure all appropriate infection prevention and control measures are in place.”
A handful of guests were said to be so distressed they were taken to Sunshine and Royal Melbourne hospitals.
Two of them were released from hospital on Tuesday.
The Department of Health said the incident was not linked to the current cluster of listeria cases in the state.
Contaminated food is believed to be the cause of a listeria outbreak at three Queensland hospitals.
Cases have also been reported in Victoria and New South Wales.
