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A woman who was rushed to hospital along with four other Australians suspected poisoning at a five-star resort in Fiji has condemned local authorities for their handling of the case as what it deemed “unacceptable” in an online post.
American Jill Juarez fell ill at the Warwick Resort on December 14 and was rushed to hospital along with five other people, all of whom had consumed a pina colada.
In a post about a trip to Fiji Facebook pageJuarez said she has been left “angry, scared, frustrated and sad” by the way the incident was handled and has now retained an attorney.
Jill Juarez fell ill at the Warwick Resort on December 14 and was rushed to the hospital along with five other people, all of whom had consumed a pina colada. Instagram / Jill Juárez This photo shows an aerial view of the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast. AFP via Getty Images
According to Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, methanol poisoning has been ruled out as the cause of the incident.
“I’ve kept quiet about what’s next because I thought I would have gotten more help/answers,” she said.
‘But I’ve reached the end of my patience. I just want answers.”
Juarez said in the post she is still in Fiji while she recovers of the suspected poisoning, which left her unable to walk, general numbness and ‘massive non-stop palpitations’.
Juarez said she is “angry, scared, frustrated and saddened” by the way the incident was handled and has now retained an attorney. Instagram / @warwickfijiresort
“I was in Sigatoka Hospital for 24 hours and then taken by ambulance to Lautoka Hospital for another 24 hour stay,” she wrote.
“We STILL have not received personal blood and urine toxicology reports from Sigatoka hospital or Lautoka hospital. It’s been 11 days. ELEVEN DAYS.”
She said she was initially interviewed twice by local police but has not heard from them since.
“It appears that once the toxicology results of the ‘select samples of pina colada mix and/or alcohol’ from Warwick were announced, people quickly moved on,” she said.
“But something happened.”
Juarez said she has now hired an attorney.
“The reality is: some people are still seriously ill. For example, I am very concerned about the possible consequences for me in the future. This whole experience has made me beyond angry, scared, frustrated and sad,” she said.
“So I ask again: WHO will help ME? Where is the compassion and empathy for ME and the other women? I also have an appointment with my doctor in America for a full laboratory work-up, including fingernail and hair follicle testing, which will reveal ALL toxins that have been in my system over the past 90 days. The truth will come out one way or another.”
Australian Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, suffered a seizure while her mother, Tanya, 49, was hospitalized for two nights.
In a post on a Fiji Travel Facebook page, Juarez said she was “angry, scared, frustrated and saddened” by the way the incident was handled and has now retained a lawyer. Facebook/Jill Juarez According to Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister, methanol poisoning has been ruled out as the cause of the incident. AFP via Getty Images
The pair have now been released from hospital and flew home last week.
The incident attracted global attention after the suspected methanol poisoning of at least six people at a hostel in the Southeast Asian country of Laos last month, which left two Australians dead.
Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka quickly ruled out that methanol had been used in the Pina Coladas.
“I can confirm that no illegal substances or methanol were found in the ingredients or beverage samples,” Gavoka said after the incident.
“All affected tourists and locals have now been discharged from medical care and fully recovered. This is a significant relief.
“No tourist wants to end their holiday sick and we are sorry that their holiday ended in such a way.”
Warwick Fiji Resort has been contacted for comment.