Local sources from Spain: El Mundo, ABC.
UK coverage: Metro.co.uk.
A significant health scare unfolded at the four-star Izan Cavanna Hotel in La Manga, Spain, following a suspected salmonella outbreak that has affected over 100 tourists, including vulnerable guests such as a 15-month-old baby and seven other children. Symptoms reported include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, leading to the hospitalization of 20 individuals and the establishment of a field hospital on the hotel premises to manage the situation. This incident, which emerged after a lunch service at the hotel, has caused considerable distress among the guests, with many taking to social media to express their concerns and seek answers from the hotel management, which has remained notably silent on the matter. The kitchen of the hotel has been shut down for investigation by health inspectors as they scramble to contain the outbreak that has marred the holidays of some 800 guests staying at the establishment. Reports from two notable Spanish news outlets, El Mundo and ABC, have detailed the ongoing situation, shedding light on the health and safety measures being implemented. According to El Mundo, early microbiological tests have confirmed salmonella as the cause of the symptoms, with the hotel’s kitchen activities suspended for a thorough cleaning and disinfection. The regional health department has been actively involved, with the Epidemiology Service and Food Safety inspectors collecting food samples and conducting tests on food handlers to pinpoint the exact source of the outbreak. ABC’s report adds that the initial alert of the outbreak was issued on August 24, with the number of affected individuals quickly escalating beyond the initial 28 cases reported. Among the affected, nine people, including six adults and three children, remain hospitalized with a stable prognosis. Emergency services and public health laboratories are working diligently to identify the exact source of the outbreak through sample collection and analysis. A related incident in Barbastro, affecting 424 individuals with seven hospitalizations, was also mentioned, underscoring the potential severity of such outbreaks. In the meantime, an external catering company has been brought in to provide services to guests, as precautionary measures including the suspension of kitchen activities and extensive cleaning are underway. The clustering of cases after a particular lunch service suggests a common food-related source, with the investigation focusing on collecting food samples served during that time and analyzing stool cultures from food handlers. This incident highlights the critical importance of stringent food safety measures and the rapid response of health services to contain and manage such outbreaks to prevent further illnesses. The hotel and local health authorities are faced with the task of not only addressing the current situation but also implementing definitive corrective measures to restore confidence among guests and future visitors to the area.
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