The Park Melbourne’s future uncertain after cause of gastro outbreaks revealed

Investigations appear to be wrapping up into what caused hundreds of The Park Melbourne guests to fall violently ill, but the venue’s future remains uncertain.

The Park Melbourne has remained tight-lipped on when it will reopen

The venue at the centre of a gastro outbreak that left more than 200 guests feeling violently ill has remained tight-lipped about when it will reopen as the Department of Health confirms the most likely source of the illness.

On September 26, The Park Melbourne released a statement informing guests it would shut its doors for two weeks as investigations continue into the outbreak that left hundreds of people from five events with gastro-like symptoms.

The Albert Park venue explained its decision was made “out of an abundance of caution”, with the closure completely voluntary and not enforced by the Department of Health or Port Phillip Council.

“It is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we have found alternate locations for all parties impacted by our temporary closure,” the statement said.

“We take this matter extremely seriously. We have the highest standard of health and safety practices in place, and are deeply saddened that this outbreak has occurred and affected a number of people.”

The Park Melbourne has remained tight lipped on when it will reopen.

However, a fortnight on – and almost one month since the first outbreak – the venue has declined to comment on when it will reopen.

The lack of certainty around the business’s future comes after the Department of Health suggested on Tuesday, investigations into the recent outbreaks at the venue all support the highly contagious norovirus as the source.

However, the public may never know how the foodborne illness came about to begin with, as the investigation’s findings won’t be published due to the personal and medical nature of the collected data.

At least 233 people were affeccted by the outbreaks which occurred at five events hosted at the venue between September 13 and 24, with the department confirming no further cases were reported since.

It’s understood the venue will continually be monitored for any public health concerns.

The Herald Sun revealed last month, the first outbreak occurred after members of the Australia and New Zealand Burns Association (ANZBA) attended a dinner at the venue.

The cause of the outbreak appears to be norovirus.

At least 80 people – a mix of doctors, medical researchers, nurses, rehabilitation and emergency staff – came down with the illness, three days before another 80 guests who attended a wedding fell ill.

A source told the Herald Sun conference guests were served gnocchi or lamb shoulder for entree, chicken or salmon for main course and a chocolate tart or rice pudding for dessert.

Meanwhile adult wedding guests were served pork and chicken, while the children were given hamburgers.

The following weekend, another three weddings were impacted by the same outbreak, with an additional 73 people reporting they had become unwell.

The additional outbreaks occurred despite the venue undergoing a deep clean on September 18. A second deep clean was conducted on September 26, following the three latter outbreaks.

Norovirus is a viral gastro infection that is primarily transmitted through contact with an infected person, contaminated surface or the consumption of contaminated food and water.

Symptoms of the infection include acute onset vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, muscle pains and low-grade fever. The illness may be more severe in older people and those with underlying medical conditions.

It’s understood at least four people required hospital treatment following the outbreak.

The Herald Sun has contacted Port Phillip Council for comment.