Wedding reception guests end with salmonella food poisoning

The Department of Public Health is investigating a case of "salmonella food borne illness" which allegedly broke out following a wedding reception last Saturday.

Around 50 people, including the newly-wed couple, were admitted to hospital following the reception for 250 individuals in Naxxar, according to a number of invited guests.

While confirming that the causative agent of this food borne illness was salmonella, further epidemiological studies were being performed in order to attempt to identify the source, John Attard Kingswell, health inspector manager, told The Times.

The groom, John Vella, 24, of Birzebbuga, is still being treated in hospital. Contacted yesterday, he said he preferred not to comment at this stage. His wife, Victoria was discharged from hospital on Tuesday.

They did not have the best start to their new life together: they cancelled their honeymoon cruise.

Tyron Demanuele, 41, of Swieqi, intends to take legal action against the caterers after spending four days in hospital suffering from salmonella.

"On Sunday morning at around seven, my partner woke up complaining she was feeling queasy and suffering from very painful stomach cramps. Suddenly she started twisting with pain and this was followed by a severe bout of diarrohea," he said.

Minutes later, Mr Demanuele started feeling the same symptoms.

"My face was contorted, the pain was unbearable. I went to the doctor who realised straight away it was a case of food poisoning.

"I rushed to hospital where they put me on drip at once. From 8.30 a.m. till 5 p.m. I was in excruciating pain."

He said the doctors confirmed shortly afterwards that salmonella was the cause, and he believes this was caused after eating fish.

His doctor's certificate read: "Admitted to hospital following wedding reception with profuse vomiting, diarrohea, fever and abdominal cramps."

Mr Demanuele said caterers raked in thousands annually from weddings and social events, and they therefore had a responsibility to the public.

He said he had been informed by hospital staff that over 50 guests had been admitted. He said he knew of several other individuals who suffered the same fate but who chose not to go to hospital.

One of these was Doris Farrugia of Kalkara.

She said she felt thoroughly uncomfortable on Monday morning and rushed to the polyclinic where she was told that she was suffering from food poisoning.

Doctors advised Ms Farrugia not to over-exert herself, to go on medication and to avoid dairy products for a fortnight.

Marcel Bonaci, 40, of St Paul's Bay, felt the first symptoms on Sunday afternoon.

Since there were a lot of common friends at the wedding, the guests called each other on Sunday to check whether they were suffering from the same pains.

Asked how he was so sure that the illness was brought about by the wedding food, he replied: "when you have people suffering from the same thing, at practically the same time, isn't it obvious?"

Mr Bonaci said he was in such a bad physical state that he had to cancel a trip to Paris on Tuesday. He intends to take legal action in connection with the costs incurred.

Julian Mamo and his wife Victoria were both admitted to hospital.

"We ate nothing else on the day of the wedding so it's quite obvious what triggered all this off," Mr Mamo said.

Additionally, he said, he knew of a particular couple who opted out of eating fish during the wedding. They were spared any illness.

The family doctor recommended the Mamos go to hospital after they were found to be suffering from severe dehydration.

The case is still being investigated by the Health Inspectorate Services and the Disease Surveillance Branch of the Health Department.

Mr Attard Kingswell said inspections at all food establishments are carried out through a risk assessment system which takes into account the risk factor of the food premises.

He said the health department did not need to tighten its controls, since in most instances these were more frequent than in other European countries.

"However it is a question that operators should ensure that they have an adequate food safety management system in place.

"One should bear in mind that the ultimate responsibility lies with the food operator to plead due diligence when similar incidents occur."