Food Poisoning At Mount Cook

Northern Advocate, 15 January 1948, Page 7

Food Poisoning At Mount Cook

TIMARU, Thu. (P.A.).—Food poisoning affecting about 40 persons at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, was investigated yesterday by the health officer at Timaru (Dr G. L. McLeod), who said some of those affected were seriously upset. Dr McLeod was accompanied to the Hermitage by the district health inspector (Mr R. Connor). Food samples were taken for investigation. Dr McLeod said the matter was being investigated as any such outbreak would be. When the first reports of the outbreak received from travellers were referred to the manager of the Hermitage, Mr Dennis, he said not much was known about the cause of the sickness. ROUTINE INVESTIGATION The health officer had made a routine investigation and the testing of samples he had taken might throw more light on the subject. Mr Dennis said it was hard to estimate the number affected because some merely said they felt sifck while others were more seriously ill. There were more than 30 on the staff and about 60 guests. More than a dozen were definitely affected. The bus had left the Hermitage early in the morning and it was possible that some of the passengers who did not have full information might have heard rumours which had become exaggerated.