Salmonella Outbreak Hits La Manga Hotel: Over 100 Tourists Sickened
In late August 2025, a suspected Salmonella outbreak at the four-star Hotel Izán Cavanna in La Manga, Murcia, Spain sickened over 100 guests, including a 15-month-old baby and several children. The outbreak, reported on August 24, rapidly escalated, from an initial 28 cases to more than 100, marking it as a serious foodborne illness incident.
Illness and Immediate Response
Following lunch on Saturday, August 23, more than 100 individuals began experiencing symptoms mirroring food poisoning symptoms, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. The timing suggests a common lunch meal as the likely source.
Emergency response was swift. Five units of EMS (061) were deployed to the hotel for on-site treatment, and around 20 guests were transported to Santa Lucía Hospital, all but two of whom were discharged within hours.
In total, 19 to 20 individuals were hospitalized, reports reference patients of all ages, including a highly concerning case involving a pregnant woman, who remains under observation.
The hotel’s kitchen was shut down immediately and subjected to intensive cleaning and disinfection. An external catering company was contracted to handle food service while the investigation continued.
Ongoing Investigation: What Caused the Outbreak?
Though no single meal has been confirmed, multiple sources point to suspect dishes, namely fish-based items and spinach-filled pasta served during the buffet on Saturday, as potential sources of contamination. Investigators continue to analyze remaining food samples and may collect stool cultures from kitchen staff to trace the origin.
Health authorities are treating the situation as “probable Salmonella poisoning,” though final confirmation is pending laboratory testing.
Guest Reactions and Operational Fallout
Several guests expressed frustration over the hotel’s initial silence and slow response. One guest revealed that his eight-months-pregnant wife was hospitalized, yet communication from the hotel remained absent, even when his belongings and hers were still locked in their room.
Some families with children left the hotel early after lodging complaints at reception. Others criticized overall food quality and hygiene standards, describing meals as subpar and facilities as outdated.
In response, the hotel issued a public statement expressing regret, disclosed its cooperation with health authorities, and emphasized its intensified cleaning and external catering arrangement.
Understanding Salmonella Outbreaks
Salmonella is a frequent and serious cause of gastrointestinal illness worldwide. Symptoms typically manifest between 6 hours to 6 days after ingestion, and commonly include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. In most healthy individuals, symptoms resolve in 4–7 days.
However, severe cases, especially involving young children, the elderly, or the immunocompromised, can lead to dehydration, hospitalization, or further complications, such as bloodstream infections or reactive arthritis.
Lessons and Outlook
This outbreak underscores several critical takeaways for holidaymakers and industry operators:
- Group dining, especially buffet-style, can facilitate rapid spread of pathogens if food handling and temperature control are inadequate.
- Quick recognition and response by hotel staff and health officials are vital to contain outbreaks and reduce the number of affected guests.
- Clear communication with guests, particularly vulnerable groups, is essential to maintain trust and reduce panic.
- Rigorous hygiene protocols, including regular kitchen inspections and swift sanitation, are fundamental to food safety in high-volume settings.
For travelers, episodes like this highlight the importance of staying alert to dining quality and vigilance around foodborne illness signs. If symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or fever begin within days of eating, especially in group dining environments, early medical attention is crucial.
