Australian tourists hospitalised in Fiji with suspected alcohol poisoning

Fiji. File Photo
Fiji. File Photo
A number of Australian tourists are among seven people in hospital in Fiji with suspected alcohol poisoning, according to local reports.

A report on Fijivillage.com says seven guests at a five star resort on the Coral Coast were taken to the Sigatoka Hospital on Saturday night for “nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms”.

It is reported they are believed to have fallen ill after consuming cocktails prepared at the resort, but health authorities are still investigating.

Two of the patients were reportedly so ill they were transferred to the Lautoka Hospital, where all of the patients are now admitted.

According to the report quoting Fiji’s Ministry of Health, the affected patients’ ages range from 18 to 56 years and include 4 Australians, 1 American and 2 foreigners residing locally.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) issued an updated warning to travellers  to use the usual care around alchoholic beverages in Fiji.

“We continue to advise exercise normal safety precautions. Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks in Fiji”, the updated advisory reads.

The suspected alcohol poisoning comes after the deaths of six people, including two Australians, 19-year-old Victorian women, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, after consuming drinks containing methanol while holidaying in Vang Vieng in Laos.

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