CNN
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Seven tourists sought hospital treatment for suspected poisoning after drinking cocktails in a bar at an upscale Fiji resort that is currently under police investigation.

Four Australians were taken to hospital along with three others believed to be foreign nationals after they were served prepared drinks at a bar in Warwick Fiji on Saturday.

According to a statement from Fiji’s Ministry of Health, the tourists, aged 18 to 56, suffered from nausea, vomiting and “neurological symptoms”.

As of late Monday, two patients remained in a stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Lautoka Hospital. The others have been released, said Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliame R. Gavoka.

The case comes just weeks after six tourists died of methanol poisoning after drinking at a bar in Laos, prompting safety warnings against drinking alcohol abroad.

When asked if methanol was to blame, Dr. Jemesa Tudravu, permanent secretary of the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services, said it was too early to say.

“We don’t have the results of the investigation yet and we won’t know if it was a spike or another cause until we complete our investigation,” he said in a briefing on Monday.

Sydney resident David Sandoe told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation he received a call saying his daughter and granddaughter were among those taken to hospital. He said they were among a group of people who drank a piña colada cocktail before becoming ill.

“A group of them were in the lounge of this resort and they were drinking a similar cocktail and unfortunately seven people became ill with the symptoms discussed,” Sandoe said.

He said his relatives were scheduled to fly home late Monday.

According to Australian media reports, one of the sick tourists was an American. The US Embassy in Fiji told CNN it was aware of the reports but had nothing to add.

Gavoka, who is also Fiji’s tourism minister, assured travelers to the Pacific country that the incident was “extremely isolated.”

“No further incidents were reported at the resort or across Fiji. The resort has operated successfully in Fiji for many years and enjoys a good reputation, particularly with our Australian visitors,” he said in a statement on Monday.

“Resort management has assured us that they have not engaged in practices such as substitution of ingredients or changing the quality of drinks served to guests,” he added.

Warwick Hotels and Resorts operates luxury accommodation worldwide, including in the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

In Fiji, king suites with views of palm trees and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean cost around $500 per night.

In a statement, Warwick Fiji said it was taking the matter “very seriously”.

“We do not have conclusive details at this time, but we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our guests,” the hotel said.

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers confirmed four Australians received assistance from department officials.

He said the situation was “very worrying” and referred to the Foreign Office’s updated travel advice to be wary of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning in Fiji.

“Don’t leave your drinks unattended. Be careful when mixing your drinks and seek urgent medical attention if you suspect something is wrong,” he said.

Gavoka said nearly a million tourists visit the island every year and thousands of tourists are currently vacationing on the Pacific island.

“This is the only reported case of this type we have seen recently and there has certainly been nothing like it this year,” he said.

“While we understand the concern, we would like to emphasize that the tourism experience in Fiji is generally very safe and we took immediate action to determine why these guests became ill at this resort.”

In November, two Australian teenagers, a British woman, an American man and two Danish women died after drinking shots in Laos. Several Western countries warned of the potentially deadly consequences of consuming tainted alcohol.