Fiji alcohol poisoning: What every Australian traveller must know

Four Australians are among seven people to have been struck down by a suspected alcohol poisoning at a five-star resort in Fiji. This is what we know so far and the latest advice for travellers.

Four Australians suffered suspected alcohol poisoning at a five-star resort in Fiji, as another tourist said he had become sick after drinking iced tea at the same hotel.

The incident has stunned travellers as Fiji has not previously been associated with incidents of methanol poisoning.

This is what we know so far and the latest advice for travellers heading to Fiji for Christmas, New Year and their summer holidays.

WHERE DID THE ALLEGED DRINK SPIKING OCCUR?

The incident occurred at the Warwick Fiji resort on the island’s Coral Coast where you can pay $500 a night for a room.

An aerial view of the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast. Picture: AFP

WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?

Australians Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, and her mother Tanya became ill in Fiji after drinking Pina Coladas about 1pm Saturday around the pool, along with two other Australians and an American woman.

About three hours later, the Sydney women were among a group who collapsed to the ground and started having seizures.

All five were taken to hospital, along with two Fijians locals.

Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, age 19, who was caught up in the drink spiking drama at the Warwick Hotel in Fiji.

WHAT WERE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRINK?

A holidaymaker who stayed at the luxury Fiji resort in October said he felt “drugged” after drinking “Fijian iced teas”.

The man, who spoke on the grounds of anonymity, blacked out and suffered from blurred vision. He said he felt confused, sick and disoriented.

“The vodka didn’t taste like vodka, it was almost chemically and smelled like methylated spirits,” he said.

Drinks at the Warwick Fiji resort and spa. Picture: Instagram

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE DRINK THEY HAD?

The poisoned Pina Coladas were made with a local rum, according to a source with knowledge of the Warwick resort who said that the cocktails were made with Bounty Rum. Bounty Rum comes in 1125ml bottles and has a 37 per cent alcohol by volume.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THOSE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL?

Five of the seven patients were released from hospital by Monday night. Georgia and her mother Tanya have already flown back to Sydney.

The two patients remaining in Lautoka Hospital - an Aussie and a Fijian - are in a “stable condition” in intensive care.

Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill on Tuesday morning said one of the patients remaining in hospital is an Australian. It’s understood the patient is a female and from NSW.

Mr Hill said both patients were “stable” and “responding well to treatment”.

HOW MANY TRAVELLERS ARE EXPECTED IN FIJI THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR?

Typically in December, there would be over 80,000 tourists arriving in Fiji.

ARE MOST RESORTS AT CAPACITY ALREADY?

Resorts are busy and gearing up for the Christmas and New Year period.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY?

Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, says there has understandably been a lot of concern over the drink-spiking incident.

“Tourism is vital to Fiji, and the industry has never seen anything like this before. We are all keen to understand the cause,” he said.

“Our resorts pride themselves on service and quality, and only use local export-quality commercial ingredients, or imported products. This is extremely rare, and we don’t know the cause.. so there is natural concern, as we appreciate that there is alarm due to the recent tragedy in Laos.

“In our case, this was a luxury resort, who pride themselves on their standards.”

Mr Hill has not personally spoken with the families involved but Tourism Fiji has received “regular reports” on their welfare.

“It is pleasing that all bar two have been discharged and returned home,” he said. “The two remaining are stable and responding well to treatment.”

WHAT WILL FIJI DO TO PREVENT FUTURE INCIDENTS? WILL THE LOCAL RUM STILL BE SOLD?

Mr Hill says these incidents are taken incredibly seriously.

“The ‘local rum’ is a commercially produced, award-winning rum, and it has not been proven that that is the cause. There is also an imported pina colada powder that is used for example,” he said.

“But we just don’t know and don’t want to speculate. Certainly when we receive the report we will try and determine what occurred, and there will continue to be a real focus on ensuring standards are at the highest levels.”

IS THERE ANYTHING HOLIDAYMAKERS COMING TO FIJI NEED TO BE AWARE OF?

Mr Hill says there is nothing to be advised at this stage and stressed that the incident was rare and isolated.

“The resort alone has hundreds of guests at this time, and no-one else fell ill, and likewise there are tens of thousands of holidaymakers here in Fiji and up to a million will visit over the year. So this is a very rare, isolated incident,” he said.

“We of course want tourists to continue to choose Fiji and come here for their holiday. As we always would advise, we suggest to continue to be cautious about what they choose to eat and drink and take sensible precautions.”

WHAT HAS THE FIJIAN GOVERNMENT SAID?

A statement about the incident said it was “extremely isolated”.

“The Ministry for Tourism and Civil Aviation, together with the Ministry of Health & Medical Services, want to acknowledge the serious health incident that occurred at a resort on the Coral Coast, where seven guests presented with illness after consuming a cocktail at one of the resort’s bars,” the statement read.

“Our thoughts are with the affected guests and their families during this time, and we are ensuring that they receive the best medical care possible. We are reassured that their condition this morning was stable, and we do hope their condition continues to improve.”

Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka vowed to get to the bottom of the incident.

“The whole case is quite mystifying, but we are doing everything we can in terms of the health ministry and the police to really determine what happened on that evening when these people were served with pina coladas in one of these bars,” Mr Gavoka said.

The five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast. Picture: AFP

WHAT ARE FIJIAN POLICE DOING?

Fijian Police have taken samples of the rum used for testing and suspect methanol poisoning was the cause. The samples have been sent to Australia for further analysis.

WHAT HAS THE HOTEL SAID?

A Warwick resort spokesperson said there were “no conclusive details”.

“Please rest assured that we are taking this matter very seriously and are currently conducting a thorough investigation,” they said.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE SAYING?

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said DFAT officials were in contact with the Australians and their families.
“Fiji police are investigating to determine the cause of the illnesses, and we’ll try to keep people updated as that investigation continues,” he said.

WHAT IS SMARTRAVELLER’S ADVICE?

The Smartraveller.gov.au website was updated on December 15 and states: “We continue to advise exercise normal safety precautions. Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking.”

Originally published as Fiji alcohol poisoning: What every Australian traveller must know