Gastro Outbreak linked to a wedding reception at The Park Melbourne, Albert Park

36 Lakeside Drive, Melbourne, 3206 Victoria, Australia

####Update September 28, 2023

A gastro outbreak linked to The Park function space in Albert Park, Melbourne, has affected 233 people across 5 separate events. The Victorian Department of Health confirmed that 5 guests reported gastro symptoms after attending a wedding at the venue last Sunday, September 24, marking the latest incident in a series of outbreaks.

The venue had previously been allowed to continue operating despite over 80 people falling ill after a medical conference dinner and another 80 patrons getting sick after a wedding on September 16. Then, 28 guests from a wedding on September 22 later reported gastro symptoms. Another 40 people got sick after a wedding the next day on Saturday, September 23. The Health Department is collaborating with Port Phillip Council and South East Public Health Unit to investigate the outbreak sources and implement infection prevention and control measures.

The department also stated that norovirus, a frequently encountered and extremely transmissible variant of gastro, was determined as the pathogen responsible for the initial two outbreaks. It further affirmed that the early symptoms and epidemiological patterns indicated that the same pathogen was behind the third and fourth outbreaks. The Park venue decided to voluntarily close this week.

Source: www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/four-weddings-and-a-function-fifth-gastro-outbreak-strikes-melbourne-venue-20230928-p5e8fx.html

Update September 21, 2023

2 gastro outbreaks at The Park Melbourne, Albert Park have affected more than 140 individuals. In addition to a wedding, a conference hosted by the Australia and New Zealand Burns Association last week at The Park Melbourne has been impacted.

Health officials continue investigating the cause, with at least 70 reported cases from each event. The exact source of the illness is still unknown, and authorities are collaborating with the Port Phillip Council and the South East Public Health Unit to investigate and implement infection prevention measures.

Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-21/melbourne-gastro-outbreak-victoria-department-of-health-update/102886026

September 19, 2023

The Victoria's Department of Health and the Port Phillip Council are investigating a gastroenteritis outbreak linked to a wedding reception at The Park Melbourne, Albert Park, which took place on September 16. More than half of the 300 attendees at a wedding reception were affected by this outbreak. The source of the outbreak is still under investigation, but the Department of Health said the incident was not linked to the ongoing cluster of listeria cases in the state.

Several severely impacted guests were transported to Sunshine and Royal Melbourne hospitals for urgent medical attention. 2 individuals were healthy enough for hospital discharge by Tuesday. As investigations continue, concerned guests are urged to monitor their health.

A "precautionary deep clean" of the venue has been initiated, with the approval of Port Phillip Council.



Source: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12534249/Albert-Park-wedding-gastro-outbreak-Melbourne.html