15 tourists arrived at Ezeiza with food poisoning symptoms after leaving a cruise ship in Ushuaia: what we know and what to do if it happens to you while traveling

Cruise ships in the port of Ushuaia (not the ship in this case). File photo: Liam Quinn from Canada / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).

At least 15 foreign tourists arrived at Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires with symptoms consistent with food poisoning after flying from Ushuaia on three Aerolíneas Argentinas domestic flights, TN, Clarín and the Noticias Argentinas news agency reported. The medical response began on Saturday, October 31, at 8:30 p.m. and lasted until 2 a.m. on Sunday.

All of them had left a cruise ship just hours earlier.

According to accounts gathered by the media, the passengers had disembarked from a cruise ship in the capital of Tierra del Fuego before boarding their flights. Those affected included citizens of France, Germany, Australia and Norway.

What happened at the airport

At Ezeiza they were treated by health staff, who gave them fluids and medical care. Eight of them received medication, but none had to be taken to a hospital and all were out of danger by the end of the operation, according to La Opinión Austral and Noticias Argentinas.

The passengers said that during the trip they were given meal packs with tuna and chicken. One hypothesis is that this food caused the illness. However, it has not yet been confirmed which food caused the symptoms, and no test results have been released.

It is also unclear which ship they were on: two cruise ships, one Norwegian and one Chilean, had arrived at the port of Ushuaia, and it has not yet been determined which one carried the affected tourists. The vessel has not been officially identified and no company has been held responsible.

Why one meal can sicken a whole group

The MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia explains that food poisoning happens when you eat or drink something that contains bacteria, parasites, viruses or the toxins they produce. Most cases are caused by common bacteria such as staphylococcus or E. coli, and it can affect a group of people who ate the same food, which is common at large gatherings, cafeterias or meals prepared for many people.

Symptoms of the most common types usually start 2 to 6 hours after eating, although the timing varies with the cause. Typical symptoms are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. Most people get better in a couple of days; the key is replacing fluids.

What to do if it happens while you travel

• Stay hydrated with frequent sips; oral rehydration salts from a pharmacy help replace fluids and minerals.
• Tell the crew if you are on a plane or ship: they usually have protocols and can request help at your destination.
• Write down what you ate and when, and whether other travelers have symptoms: it helps doctors and investigators.
• Get urgent care if there is blood in your stool, a high fever, vomiting that keeps you from holding down fluids, severe dizziness, little urine or confusion. Children, older adults and pregnant women are at higher risk.

If you have a chronic illness or take medication, talk to your doctor before treating yourself, especially with anti-diarrhea drugs.

The investigation into the source of the outbreak continues. This is a developing story; we will update it if authorities release new information.

Read also: La atleta de Hyrox que siguió compitiendo con una intoxicación · Chiapas: niña muere tras comer hongos silvestres

Sources

• TN: Alerta en Ezeiza: al menos 15 turistas extranjeros llegaron con síntomas de intoxicación
• Clarín: Alerta en Ezeiza por 15 turistas que aterrizaron con síntomas de intoxicación
• La Opinión Austral: Investigan una posible intoxicación alimentaria en un crucero
• Cadena 3 / Noticias Argentinas: 15 pasajeros llegan a Ezeiza tras vuelo desde Ushuaia
• MedlinePlus: Intoxicación alimentaria