Two Australian women who were hospitalized after consuming cocktails at a luxury hotel in Fiji are now in stable condition and preparing to return home. The incident occurred when four Australians, aged between 18 and 56, were taken to the hospital after drinking at the Warwick Fiji hotel on Saturday.
David Sandoe, a Sydney resident, shared that his daughter Tanya and granddaughter Georgia became ill after consuming the cocktails. Georgia experienced a seizure, which prompted their hospital stay over the weekend. Fortunately, both have now been discharged and were accompanied by Australian consular staff to the airport for their return flight to Sydney.
David expressed his relief as they were doing “very well” considering the circumstances and shared the distressing experience of receiving a late-night call about their situation. He highlighted that this trip was meant to be a special mother-daughter vacation, as their family has fond memories of Fiji.
In addition to Tanya and Georgia, another mother-daughter pair also experienced similar symptoms after consuming cocktails and remains in the hospital. The Fiji Ministry of Health reported that the patients exhibited nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms. Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, Viliame Gavoka, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, indicating that while they awaited toxicology reports, he could not rule out methanol poisoning, though he was optimistic that such an incident was unlikely in Fiji.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food and drink safety while traveling. It’s heartening to know that those affected are recovering and that authorities are actively investigating the causes behind these symptoms. As tourism resumes in Fiji, ensuring health and safety for visitors will be vital in maintaining trust and the island’s reputation as a premier holiday destination.
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