People affected by La Manga hotel salmonella outbreak now total 190
Origin of food poisoning or disciplinary action against hotel have not yet been confirmed
The outbreak of salmonella at the Hotel Izán Cavanna in La Manga del Mar Menor last weekend has now been confirmed to have affected 190 people, according to the Region of Murcia health department’s epidemiology service.
As of Thursday, there were still 19 people hospitalised at Santa Lucia hospital in Cartagena, although some of them were expected to be discharged later that day.
The health department is still investigating the origin of the outbreak, after the first tests indicated that it had been spread by cross contamination.
Sources close to the investigation told local Spanish press that salmonella bacteria had been found in foods eaten during the lunch served on Saturday, and in samples taken from staff who had handled the food that day.
As a result, public health technicians have proposed launching disciplinary action against the hotel over deficiencies that were detected.
Further testing is still being carried out on foods, as well as raw ingredients, surfaces and utensils that were used.
Samples taken from personnel are also still being analysed.
Nevertheless, according to one report, a spokesperson for the hotel commented on Wednesday that the establishment had not received any notification that disciplinary action is being taken, nor that the origin or cause of the outbreak had been confirmed.
The spokesperson assured that the hotel is actively collaborating with the relevant authorities so that the situation can be cleared up.
The kitchens there have remained closed since Sunday, when the hotel’s restaurant service was still running until the health authority provisionally shut it down that afternoon, by which time dozens of cases had been reported.
The health department defended that decision, saying at the time that it was taken as soon as the first tests confirmed that the origin was food-based, which ruled out other possibilities such as an airborne virus or the hotel swimming pool.
Image: Archive
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