MCG food poisoning outbreak: Diners at Essendon President’s Function fall ill during Anzac Day game

Was it the chicken and rabbit terrine or another source that caused 30 diners to become violently ill at a ritzy Anzac Day game luncheon at the MCG? Health authorities are on the case as seven people sent to hospital yesterday recover.

An ambulance trolley outside the luncheon. Vision: Instagram/cliffotoo

Seven footy fans who were taken to hospital with suspected food poisoning from an exclusive MCG Anzac Day luncheon have recovered from their illness.

The sick supporters were sent home from hospital emergency departments yesterday afternoon to recover as attention focused on identifying the sources of the gastro outbreak.

A toxin potentially contaminating the food from worker handling it is thought to be the most likely sources due to the immediate onset of illness, as other viral types of food poisoning usually take several hours to take effect.

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Diners have told the Herald Sun the two-course lunch started with a chicken and rabbit terrine entree, with some people becoming ill less than 20 minutes after eating, as the lamb main courses were left largely untouched.

Victoria’s acting chief health officer Dr Angie Bone said 30 people had been assessed by Ambulance Victoria paramedics after some began feinting and vomiting soon after the $725 a head luncheon.

“We have absolutely no reports of any ongoing illness, so it was just the initial 30 people with seven transportations taken to hospital,” Dr Bone said.

“All seven people who were transported to hospital were treated in emergency and discharged straight away and have not been admitted to hospital.

“There are no reports of any ongoing illness so we believe this to be an isolated incident.”

Department of Health investigators are working it’s Melbourne City Council and the Melbourne Cricket Club to get to the bottom of the incident, including taking of samples from the kitchen, food served to diners as well as from sick patients.

Jane Clifton took this footage during the lunch at the MCG. Vision: Instagram/cliffotoo

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Over the coming weeks health experts will examine the samples to determine what, if any, bacteria and toxins are present that could have caused the illness.

Dr Bone said a review of food handling and preparation processes would also be undertaken to ensure the kitchen was meeting standards.

“At the moment the cause has not been established,” Dr Bone said,

“We can speculate that there could be a number of issues with the reliability of the food that was served or the way it was handled.

“We can speculate over the type of bug it was because the onset was so soon, so quick after eating and normally those are bugs associated

with toxins that are being produced as opposed to viruses.”

Tickets to the swanky lunch were difficult to come by. For Essendon supporters to attend they needed to have purchased a premium four-game dining package that costs $1750.

Essendon great Kevin Sheedy, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and Governor Linda Dessau were among the guests in the room at the time.

McGuire told listeners of his Triple M Hot Breakfast show this morning that guests were “dropping like flies”.

The Olympic Room at the MCG. Picture: Melbourne Cricket Ground

“As we stood outside for the minute’s silence, people were fair dinkum hitting the deck left, right and centre around me. I hear collapses against the door and the windows,” he said.

“I didn’t see anyone throwing up but 14 people hit the deck before the opening bounce.”

AFL boss McLachlan praised the efforts of paramedics who helped distraught guests.

“My understanding is people are okay today, not downplaying it but it’s not a longer-term issue,” he told 3AW.

“I didn’t see vomiting, but I saw some people distressed and light-headed.”

Ambulance Victoria said officers treated more than 30 people at the function.

“A small number of those assessed were taken to hospital in a stable condition,” a spokesman told the Herald Sun.

A number of guests have told the Herald Sun they started feeling sick almost immediately after eating or on the way home from the game.

Daniel Koelewyn from Wandin East said the toilets in the room were covered in vomit and he saw elderly people collapsing.

”I didn’t really drink much but a mate threw up on the way home and I started feeling sick after the game as well,” he said.

The Olympic Room at the MCG. Picture sourced from MCG website mcg.org.au

Belinda Defina said it was mostly women who were affected.

”My whole body went completely sweaty and my eye sight went blurry, it’s the closest I’ve ever been to fainting,” she said.

”We had to drop one of the ladies with us off at hospital because she couldn’t stop vomiting.”

Another Herald Sun reader, who didn’t want to be named, described it as the “weirdest thing ever”.

“It was like the plague. I was still sick until I went to bed last night but I feel okay today,” she said.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said an investigation was underway.

“The Department is working with the MCC and the City of Melbourne to investigate and ensure the function rooms are thoroughly cleaned and safe for future events,” the spokesman said.

“Anyone who is feeling unwell should visit their GP or call Nurse On Call (1300 60 60 24).”

The MCC said it was also investigating.

“The guests were all part of the official match day function in the Olympic Room and incidents are localised to this room only within the stadium,” a spokesman told the Herald Sun.

“We are working in co-operation with health services and our partners to understand what caused the medical issues.

“If you were a guest in the Olympic Room and are experiencing gastro intestinal symptoms, then please seek medical attention if the symptoms are causing you distress.”

WHAT SWANKY LUNCH SERVED UP

Essendon promoting the President's Function to its supporters. Image: essendoncorporatehospitality.com.au

Those who attended the lunch were promised a:

• Premium two-course meal;

• Premium beverage package, including beer, wine and soft drink;

• Traditional half-time refreshments;

• Level two reserved seating; and,

• Special guest speakers.