British tourists hospitalised after Cuba hotel hit by food poisoning

British tourists hospitalised after Cuba hotel hit by food poisoning

By AOL Travel, Apr 12, 2014



Around 18 British holidaymakers have been put on IV drips after the

four-star Thomas Cook hotel they were staying at in Cuba was hit by a

sickness bug.



The tourists have complained of diarrhoea and sickness while at the

Hotel Playa Pesquero in Holguin, the Daily Mail reports.



They reported under-cooked meals and dirty swimming pools.



The news comes just a few weeks after tour operator Thomas Cook paid out

£150,000 in compensation to 20 holidaymakers who were struck down with

food poisoning at the same hotel in 2013.



A number of tourists took to travel review website TripAdvisor to tell

of their experiences at the hotel.



User DominoOne, from London, said: "At this moment in time there is a

sickness bug going around which has wiped out approximately 80% of the

hotel with 18 people requiring IV fluids and a number have been admitted

to hospital.



"This was confirmed to me by the numerous on site doctors following my

families many visits to the onsite Surgery. In the last day or 2 the

hotel have taken note and began to cover items in the food halls with

cling film but the general standard of Hygiene in the hotel is very poor."



Another users complained of the food hygiene, writing: "The freshly

cooked omelettes were cooked in pans that had not seen water or cleaning

products since they were first used, on gas stoves that were caked in

cooking fat, and dirt.



"Birds fly in and help themselves to food from the serving dishes, as

there are no nets to cover any food. There are 2 empty pools in the

restaurant, that have been drained, but have stagnant rain water and

dirt in the bottom of them, and you are sitting next to them whilst

eating. The chair covers are filthy dirty, along with the railings in

the restaurant that is covered in dirt and grime."



Steve Lomax, of solicitors Simpson Millar, which is representing the

holidaymakers, told the Daily Mirror: "We strongly suspect it's

bacterial food poisoning and it's certainly got form at this particular

hotel.



"It looks like dozens of Brits are affected. The allegations are very

similar this time; birds in the restaurant, poor food hygiene, birds

droppings in food, dirty equipment and under-cooked food.



"It's difficult getting home early as flights are fortnightly with the

tour operator."



Source: British tourists' Cuba holiday ruined by food poisoning at

Thomas Cook hotel - AOL Travel UK -

http://travel.aol.co.uk/2014/04/12/british-tourists-holiday-hell-food-poisoning-thomas-cook-cuba-hotel/