More than 30 people affected by food poisoning at Christmas Party at Portsea

Posted on Dec 26 2014 - 11:11am by IBC News

More than 30 people have been affected by food poisoning at a Christmas Party at Portsea, in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

Ambulance Victoria said they were called to a party of around 44 people, including six children, at Percy Cerutty Oval just before 8:00pm (AEDT) on Christmas Day.

Paramedic team manager Brendan Keane said up to 34 people suffered nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea while at the party.

“About 22 of those made their way home before paramedics were called to assess 12 others who were still at the party,” Mr Keane said.

He said none of the people still at the party was taken to hospital.

“Some of the others who made their way home later called triple-0,” he said.

“A man aged in his 30s was taken to Frankston Hospital in a stable condition.

“Others were triaged by telephone by an experienced paramedic and didn’t need an ambulance.”

Ambulance Victoria said it was not clear what had caused the food poisoning, but that the incident served as a warning for careful food preparation.

“With lots of barbeques and parties over the holidays it’s important for people to take some simple food handling precautions to reduce the chances of food poisoning,” Mr Keane said.