Albert Park gastro outbreak: New twist at lavish wedding venue after guests at three separates events were struck down with illness

Albert Park gastro outbreak: New twist at lavish wedding venue after guests at three separates events were struck down with illness

By Max Aitchison For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 14:38 BST, 26 September 2023 | Updated: 14:41 BST, 26 September 2023

A wedding venue linked to a severe norovirus outbreak that sickened over 100 people at two separate events will temporarily close after guests at a third gathering fell ill. 

The Park venue in Albert Park, in Melbourne’s inner south, will close its doors for the next two weeks as it investigates the source of the latest outbreak, linked to an event held at the weekend.

Around 70 attendees at a medical conference dinner held at The Park on 13 September reported falling ill, while a wedding held three days later was ruined after dozens of the guests were struck down with gastro-like symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness.

The Park in Albert Park Melbourne was given the once over by health inspectors and cleared to keep trading (pictured). But it has now shuttered its doors for two weeks after guests at a third event reported falling ill 

At least 100 people from two separate events suffered food poisoning after visiting wedding venue The Park, Melbourne (pictured)

‘It was more than half the guests,’ one guest wrote on social media. ‘At least 100 of us were sick. It was horrible.’ 

Now, there has been reported illness after a third event held at the venue although it is unclear how many people have been sick.

Bahaa Harb, venue manager for The Park, said on Tuesday it made the voluntary decision to close out of ‘an abundance of caution’.

‘We had taken all precautionary health and safety measures ahead of recent events, however, as there have been reported illnesses from an event on the weekend, we have decided to temporarily stop operating functions for the next two weeks until we have further information,’ Mr Harb told Nine Newspapers. 

‘It is possible that these outbreaks are not linked, but we have decided to close out of an abundance of caution until we have further information.’

The venue has found alternative locations for those affected by the temporary closure. 

Bahaa Harb, venue manager for The Park, said on Tuesday it made the voluntary decision to close out of ‘an abundance of caution’ (stock image)

On Friday, the health department said patients’ tests confirmed the outbreak was likely caused by norovirus, a common but highly contagious form of gastro.

Norovirus can be transmitted primarily through contact with an infected person but also via contaminated food, liquids and even surfaces or objects.

Symptoms include acute onset vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, muscle pains and low-grade fever.

Health and safety inspectors visited The Park on 15 September and gave it a clean bill of health, according to Mr Harb.

Meanwhile, investigations into the source of the outbreak are continuing.

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