Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett has expressed “sincere regret” at the death of a tourist from Argentina who died after consuming a meal at a villa in the eastern parish of St Mary earlier this week.
“On behalf of the Jamaican Government…as well as the entire tourism fraternity, I would like to express sincere regret at the unfortunate passing of one of our guests, who has died under such circumstances. I would also like to extend condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the decease,” Bartlett said in a statement.
Health officials said that Argentinean tourist Aldo Malastina was the only fatality among the 14 visitors who became sick after consuming the meal. An Italian tourist was airlifted to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in the tourist resort town of Montego where she remains in Intensive Care. Her son, who was admitted to the St Ann’s Bay hospital, has since been released.
A government statement said that preliminary investigations indicate that members of the group had purchased fish at a supermarket in the parish only hours earlier and had fallen ill after partaking in a meal of fish and potato salad they had prepared.
The Ministry of Health said that the other persons admitted to the hospital are now all in stable condition, and are responding well to treatment.
Bartlett said that the Ministries of Tourism and Health will continue to render assistance needed to the group, in order to ensure that they return to good health.
“The Ministry of Tourism is implementing measures to provide support for the relatives of the deceased and members of the group as they seek to recover from this regrettable ordeal,” he added.
