A couple whose wedding guests were hit by gastroenteritis have shared their story for the first time.
Rebecca and Brodey Fitz-Gerald have been warned ahead of their wedding at The Park in Melbourne city on September 16 that the venue has been linked to a gastro outbreak.
“We got a call from the location three days before the wedding and they just explained we’d see it on the news, not to worry about it,” they told A Current Affair on Thursday night.
They were told the venue had been deep cleaned and were assured they would be fine to go ahead with the planned event.
The bride and groom of a wedding whose guests were stricken with gastroenteritis are speaking out for the first time. Current Affairs /YouTube
However, by the end of their wedding night, at least 26 guests had fallen ill with symptoms and several had been rushed to hospital.
Mr. Fitz-Gerald was one of the guests who fell ill.
“It kind of puts all the good memories you have about the wedding in the back of your head because you’re trying to focus on making sure your guests are okay,” she said.
Rebecca and Brodey Fitz-Gerald were warned before their wedding that the venue had been linked to a gastro outbreak, according to reports. Current Affairs /YouTube
“I’m just disappointed that I didn’t get to spend what was meant to continue to be a magical weekend with my partner, my wife now, and all I did was lie under the covers in bed.”
At least 216 people were reported to have fallen after attending four events over four different days at the Park Venue.
Seventy medical professionals fell ill following a work conference on September 13.
A total of 80 people were affected by the disease at a wedding ceremony on September 16.
While the third wedding held on September 23 reported 40 cases of gastro symptoms.
The Park released a statement on Tuesday saying they have voluntarily decided to temporarily close the venue while an investigation by the health department is underway.
“Due to illness reported from an event over the weekend, we have decided to temporarily suspend operational functions for the next two weeks until we have more information,” the statement said.
“It is possible that these outbreaks are not linked, but we have decided to close out of caution until we have more information.”
The place says “It’s not a decision [they] have taken lightly” but “health and well-being [their] the guest is [their] highest priority”.
The couple were told the venue had been deep cleaned and were assured they would be fine to go ahead with the planned event. A Current Affair /YouTube“It’s like putting all the good memories you have about the wedding behind. your head because you’re trying to focus on making sure your guests are okay,†Brodey said. A Current Affair /YouTube
They remain adamant that they are taking all health and safety precautions ahead of the weekend event.
All parties affected by the temporary closure have been assisted in finding a new venue for the event.
Rebecca said she felt “ashamed” after the wedding and felt guilty for believing it was safe to continue the marriage.
“I feel like I’m being blamed or we’re being blamed because we trust the health professionals to go through with it,” he told the ACA.
Rebecca said she felt “ashamed†after the marriage and felt guilty for believing it was safe to continue with the marriage. A Current Affair /YouTube
“We’ve spent so much money trying to do the best we can and I feel like everyone’s memory of our wedding is going to be a negative memory which is not what we want.”
The Department of Health confirmed they were working with Port Phillip Council and the South East Public Health Unit to investigate the cause of the outbreak.
They also strive to ensure that all appropriate infection prevention and control measures are in place.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
