FOOD POISONING AT THE HERMITAGE IS BEING INVESTIGATED

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 January 1948, Page 5

FOOD POISONING AT THE HERMITAGE IS BEING INVESTIGATED

(P.A.) Christchurch, Jan. 14. Food poisoning affecting about 40 persons at the Hermitage was investigated today by the medical officer of Health in Timaru (Dr. G. L. McLeod). Dr. McLeod said some of those affected were seriously upset. Dr. McLeod was accompanied to the Hermitage by the district inspector of the Health Department (Mr. R. Connor) and food samples were taken for investigation. Dr. McLeod said the matter was being investigated as any such outbreak would be. When 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. The medical officer of health had made a routine investigation and testing of samnles he had taken .light throw more light on the subject. Mr. Dennis said it was hard to estimate the number affected, because some merely said they felt sick, while others were more seriously ill and were vomiting- 2’^ ere were more than 30 on the sta»7 and about 60 guests. More than a dozen were definitely affected. A bus had left the Hermitage early in the morning and It was possible that some of the passengers who did not have full information mhM have heard rumours which had become enlarged.