Bob Gardinier of the Times Union (NY) reports that eight conventioneers at a town hotel were rushed to area hospitals late Tuesday after they came down with apparent cases of food poisoning.
Town police and emergency medical service personnel responded to a call at about 9 p.m. at the Comfort Inn Airport & Conference Center, 20 Airport Park Blvd., where several customers were suffering from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, said Chris Kostyun, shift coordinator for the town’s Emergency Medical Services.
Those who fell ill were at the hotel for an insurance conference, officials said.
Kostyun said authorities had not yet pinned down what food item may have caused the sickness.
The hotel remained open and was not evacuated. Hotel representatives refused comment.
Kostyun said investigators were focusing their attention late Tuesday on the kitchen at the hotel.
Symptoms of food poisoning range from a mild stomachache and cramps to serious diarrhea, vomiting, liver failure and dehydration. In the elderly and very young, it can lead to death.
Kostyun said all of the customers who became sick Tuesday were middle-aged and apparently healthy. They were expected to quickly recover and be treated and released from the hospitals, he said.