Two Hundred Affected by Salmonella Outbreak at Spanish Hotel

A significant salmonella outbreak in Spain has affected approximately 200 individuals, with many requiring hospitalisation. The incident is centred around the Izan Cavanna Hotel, located in the Murcia region on the La Manga peninsula. Health officials have reported 190 confirmed cases of the illness, a figure that has doubled from initial estimates.

Guests began experiencing symptoms of the illness on August 23, 2023, with many complaining of fever, nausea, and vomiting. As the situation escalated, local medical services established a temporary field hospital to accommodate the growing number of patients. At present, 19 individuals remain hospitalised, while others have been treated and discharged from facilities such as the Santa Lucía Hospital.

The outbreak has drawn scrutiny from health authorities, who are investigating the origins of the illness. Preliminary findings suggest that contaminated food served at the hotel may be responsible for the spread of salmonella. Reports indicate that bacteria were detected in food items and on staff who handled those items on the same day guests fell ill.

Local health officials are actively working with the Regional Health Ministry of Murcia to determine how such cross-contamination occurred. Despite the serious nature of the outbreak, the hotel has stated that it has not yet received any formal notification regarding potential sanctions from health authorities. In a statement released on August 27, 2023, hotel management expressed their commitment to cooperating fully with investigations and clarifying the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can occur after consuming improperly cooked food. Symptoms typically include fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea, which may develop between six hours to six days post-exposure. For most individuals, these symptoms usually last between four to seven days, although some may require hospitalisation if their condition worsens.

As investigations continue, the health department urges anyone experiencing symptoms related to the outbreak to seek medical attention promptly.