The Health Ministry in the Spanish region of Murcia has launched an investigation after 190 confirmed cases of Salmonella were reported at Hotel Izan Cavanna in La Manga.
The outbreak began on 23 August, with an initial 28 confirmed cases. The figure rose to over 100 on 24 August, climbing to 190 by 28 August. Almost 50 guests needed hospital treatment, including eight children.
A makeshift ‘field’ hospital was set up at the hotel with stretchers and IV drips seen in corridors. The Health Ministry sent 61 ambulances to attend to hotel guests.
In a statement, the hotel said: “To date, this establishment has not received any notification regarding the opening of a sanctioning file, nor is the origin or cause of the outbreak officially accredited.
“The hotel is fully aware of the situation and is actively collaborating with the competent authorities to clarify it.”
The hotel’s kitchen has been closed since Sunday afternoon, with external caterers providing food to guests.
A handful of guests took to TripAdvisor to complain. One wrote: “We arrived at the hotel on 24 August and were met by three police cars and seven ambulances. We then learnt about the food poisoning outbreak. Even knowing the problem, the hotel restaurant continued to serve lunch.”
Another complained that they had received only a sandwich, a few pieces of fruit and a bottle of water in a bag.
Several UK online travel agents send guests to the hotel, but On the Beach said it stopped selling when the news broke earlier this week and currently has no guests there. Thomas Cook said it does not have guests at the property.
Travel Gossip has approached Hotel Izan Cavanna.
