Two lunchtime buffet meals at a Spanish hotel are being probed after the accommodation was accused of being at the centre of a suspected salmonella outbreak that left more than 100 tourists stricken with sickness.
The four-star Izan Cavanna Hotel in La Manga said it ‘deeply regrets’ what has happened and insisted it is doing ‘everything it can’ to resolve the situation, while also brushing aside criticism from furious guests over its handling of the incident.
Regional health chiefs confirmed yesterday that 47 people had needed treatment at the A&E unit of Santa Lucia Hospital in Cartagena, nine of whom – including three children – remain in hospital in a stable condition.
Among those rushed to hospital were several children, a 15-month-old baby, and a heavily-pregnant woman whose husband described her condition as ‘delicate.’
He also launched an angry social media attack on the hotel, claiming the family had been ignored despite her worsening state.
A field hospital was even set up at the seafront resort – located just 15 minutes from the exclusive five-star La Manga Club – as scores of guests reported nausea, vomiting and fever after eating at the buffet.
Authorities are understood to be focusing on two dishes served during Saturday’s lunchtime service – a fish course and the sauce accompanying a spinach-filled pasta dish.
At first, just 28 cases were reported, but by Sunday the number had soared to more than 100 of the 800 holidaymakers staying at the hotel.
More than 100 tourists, including a 15-month-old baby and seven children, fell ill with suspected salmonella poisoning at a hotel in southern Spain
The four-star Izan Cavanna Hotel in La Manga said it ‘deeply regrets’ what has happened and insisted it is doing ‘everything it can’ to resolve the situation
The hotel is in the popular resort of La Manga near Murcia, Spain
Regional government health sources say they are treating the outbreak as ‘probable salmonella poisoning,’ although final test results are still pending.
Holidaymakers have already threatened a class action lawsuit, as anger grew over claims the hotel failed to respond quickly enough to the crisis.
In a lengthy statement issued yesterday evening, hotel bosses defended their response: ‘The management of Hotel Izan Cavanna would like to inform all its customers and partners that it is actively managing a health incident that has affected a limited number of guests with symptoms of gastroenteritis.
‘The first cases were reported on the night of Saturday 23 August.
‘The health, safety and well-being of our guests and staff are our top priority.
‘Since becoming aware of the situation, we have taken immediate action, adopting the following measures:
‘Collaboration with health authorities. We immediately notified the local public health authorities, with whom we continue to collaborate closely to investigate the source of the outbreak and, as is only right, to follow all their recommendations and guidelines.
‘Assistance to affected guests. Our team is providing the necessary support to affected guests, providing them with medical assistance and attending to their needs to ensure their speedy recovery, while remaining in direct contact with them.
‘Hygiene and Disinfection Protocols. We have implemented a thorough disinfection and sanitation protocol in all our facilities, which exceeds our already rigorous cleaning standards.
‘Continuity of Service: In order to avoid interrupting service to our guests, we have immediately hired a reputable external catering company. This company will be responsible for providing all meals at the hotel, operating under the strictest food safety certifications and guaranteeing the continuity and quality of our gastronomic offerings.’
They added: ‘We deeply regret the situation and the concern that this incident may have caused our guests. We would like to express our sincere solidarity with those affected and assure them that we have mobilised all our resources to manage this matter with the utmost diligence and transparency.
Authorities are understood to be focusing on two dishes served during Saturday’s lunchtime service – a fish course and the sauce accompanying a spinach-filled pasta dish
‘The trust our customers place in us is the foundation of our commitment, and we are doing everything in our power to resolve this situation and ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone.’
The message came after days of silence from the hotel – which continued to advertise its cocktails and mojitos on social media even as sick guests were being ferried to hospital.
One furious Spanish holidaymaker still staying at the hotel posted: ‘Hello, I am still staying in room 826, and yesterday more than 40 people were affected by food poisoning from a spoiled product at the buffet.
‘I am at the Santa Lucia Hospital in Cartagena because my wife is one of those affected and she is eight months pregnant and has been admitted to the hospital.
‘I left the hotel at 4:30am on Sunday. I spoke with the hotel at 9am to inform them of the seriousness of the situation and my wife’s delicate condition, and now it is 2:20pm and I still haven’t received a call from anyone at the hotel.
‘My belongings and my wife’s belongings are still in the room, as we have a reservation until Monday.
‘I’m calling the hotel and no one is answering the phone at this time of day. We need answers.’
Several ambulances were filmed pulling up outside the beachfront property throughout the weekend.
Some guests were reportedly placed on rehydration drips in their rooms, while others were laid out on stretchers in corridors.
One mother, identified only as Susan, told a local newspaper her 15-year-old daughter had been discharged from hospital despite still suffering from fever and dehydration.
Regional government health sources say they are treating the outbreak as ‘probable salmonella poisoning,’ although final test results are still pending
‘We found her alone in the car park, weak and dizzy. She’s worse than she was before,’ she said.
She went on to point the finger at a sauce the teenager had eaten with her spinach raviolis at the hotel buffet at lunchtime on Saturday.
Another tourist said her friend had been unable to leave her room from Saturday night onwards.
She said: ‘She started to feel unwell after lunch and at dinnertime because she had a stomach ache she only ate a yoghurt.
‘We think it’s something to do with the fish because there were four of us at lunch but she was the only one that ate it. The rest of us ate meat and we’re fine.’
Health officials confirmed yesterday that 24 adults and 23 children had been assisted in A&E since the weekend.
They said: ‘The initial microbiological results point to a salmonella outbreak but samples are still being taken.’
Full results are expected to take weeks.
Salmonella poisoning effects typically include sudden diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps which appear between six hours and six days after infection and can last four to seven days.
In some cases, more severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea or high fever occur, requiring medical attention.
Serious complications, though rare, can involve the infection spreading from the intestines to the bloodstream, causing severe illness or leading to long-term issues like reactive arthritis.
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