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Another wedding has been hit by a gastro outbreak linked to a popular Melbourne function centre, bringing the total number of people affected to more than 230.
The Victorian Department of Health confirmed on Thursday that guests at a fifth separate event at The Park function space in Albert Park had fallen ill. This time, five people reported gastro symptoms after a wedding on Sunday.
The Park voluntarily closed this week after it had been allowed to continue operating despite more than 80 people falling ill after attending a medical conference dinner at the restaurant more than a fortnight ago.
Another 80 patrons got sick after a wedding three days later on September 16.
A deep clean was conducted the following Monday, but the venue remained open while authorities investigated the outbreaks.
Twenty-eight guests at wedding the following Friday later reported gastro symptoms. Another 40 people got sick after a wedding the next day on Saturday, September 23.
Guests at five different events at The Park have come down with gastro this month.Credit: Simon Schluter
A total of 233 people have now reported gastro after the five events at the venue, according to the Health Department.
“We’re continuing to work with Port Phillip Council and South East Public Health Unit to investigate the sources of the outbreaks and ensure all appropriate infection prevention and control measures are in place,” a department spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Another deep clean was conducted at the now-closed venue on Tuesday at the instruction of Port Phillip Council, the Health Department said.
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The department also said norovirus, a common and highly contagious form of gastro, had been identified as the pathogen that caused the first two outbreaks. It confirmed early symptoms and epidemiological patterns suggested the same pathogen caused the third and fourth outbreaks.
The Park venue manager Bahaa Harb has said that the decision this week to close was voluntary and not at the request of the Health Department.
The Park has previously said it was “deeply saddened” by the gastro outbreaks and has stressed their source is still being investigated. The venue was contacted for further comment on Thursday.
