Dozens of guests in Tiveria’s Bali and Leonardo Club Hotels never imagined their Rosh Hashanah stay would end with abdominal pains, vomiting and dizziness compelling them to see emergency medical care.

Magen David Adom EMS personnel were summoned to the Bali Hotel. It was first believed the signs displayed by the guests were the result of exposure to pesticides used in the area. Nine victims were transported to Poriah Hospital in the city. However, as calls came in with similar complaints in the nearby Leonardo Club Hotel, officials began looking in the direction of food poisoning as the cause. Some of the guests of the Leonardo were transported to the hospital and dozens more made their way to the emergency room on their own. A total of eighty guests from the two hotels were treated.

A 1-year-old infant, two 6-year-olds and an 82-year-old woman have been hospitalized. All of the others were treated and released. Hospital medical director Dr. Erez Onn reported the situation to the appropriate Health Ministry officials. Officials were dispatched to the hotels on Shabbos where they interviewed guests and staff members as well as taking food samples.

The investigation continues at this time.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)