Gastro outbreak in Albert Park: New twist at lavish wedding venue after guests at three separate events were struck by illness
A wedding venue linked to a serious norovirus outbreak that sickened more than 100 people at two separate events will temporarily close after guests at a third gathering fell ill.
The Park venue in Albert Park, in Melbourne’s south, will close its doors for the next two weeks as it investigates the source of the latest outbreak, which is linked to an event held this weekend.
About 70 attendees at a medical conference dinner held at The Park on September 13 reported falling ill, while a wedding held three days later was ruined after dozens of guests were struck by gastro-like symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness.
The Albert Park Melbourne park was reinstated by health inspectors and cleared to continue trading (pictured). But it has now closed its doors for two weeks after guests at a third event called in sick
At least 100 people from two separate events suffered food poisoning after visiting The Park wedding venue, Melbourne (pictured)
“It was more than half the guests,” one guest wrote on social media. ‘At least a hundred of us were sick. It was horrible.’
Now illness has been reported after a third event held at the site, although it is unclear how many people have been sick.
Bahaa Harb, location manager of The Park, said Tuesday that it made the voluntary decision to close out of “an abundance of caution.”
‘We had taken all health and safety precautions prior to the recent events, but as illnesses have been reported as a result of an event over the weekend, we have decided to temporarily suspend operational activities for the next two weeks until we have more information’ Mr Harb told Nine newspapers.
“It is possible that these outbreaks are not related, but out of an abundance of caution we have decided to close until we have more information.”
The venue has found alternative locations for those affected by the temporary closure.
Bahaa Harb, site manager of The Park, said on Tuesday that it has made the voluntary decision to close out of ‘an abundance of caution’ (stock image)
On Friday, the health department said patient tests confirmed the outbreak was likely caused by norovirus, a common but highly contagious form of gastrovirus.
Norovirus can be transmitted primarily through contact with an infected person, but also through contaminated food, liquids, and even surfaces or objects.
Symptoms include acute vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, muscle aches and low-grade fever.
Health and safety inspectors visited the park on September 15 and gave it a clean bill of health, Mr Harb said.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the source of the outbreak continues.