Gastrointestinal illness reported at Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun

A gastrointestinal illness outbreak at a Mexican resort appears to have affected several Canadian travellers.

Reports given to CTV News indicate that the illness occurred at Royalton Splash Riviera, a well-known hotel among Canadian vacationers in Cancun, Mexico. 

As guest Neil Matheson told the news outlet, he went into medical distress during his flight home last Wednesday night, passing out and throwing up.

“We’ve had COVID – this is worse than COVID,” Matheson said in an interview.

Test results from other travellers who stayed at the resort and spoke with CTV have confirmed the presence of E. coli, a bacteria commonly linked to gastrointestinal illness and often spread through contaminated food.

Peel Paramedics reportedly arrived at Pearson airport last Thursday (Feb. 19) after several passengers on an international flight reported experiencing vomiting during the flight.

In a statement from Peel Public Health, seven passengers were assessed and declined transport to hospital.

“Peel Public Health can confirm that there is no evidence of risk to the broader public and encourages travellers to take simple, preventive health measures before they depart to lower health risks,” a statement reads.

“This includes consulting with a travel medicine specialist before travelling, following good hand hygiene practices and avoiding potentially contaminated food or water.

Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, a family-friendly all-inclusive resort, opened in December of 2022. 

Owned and managed by Blue Diamond Resorts, and part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the property boasts one of the Caribbean's largest on-site water parks.

PAX has contacted Blue Diamond Resorts for a status update on the situation. 

The WestJet Group, inclusive of Sunwing Vacations, which sells the property, issued a statement to PAX Monday morning (Feb. 23).

Guests decry NDA

Matheson told CTV that when he requested a doctor at the resort, he was informed that a consultation for four people would typically cost $900.

However, the resort offered to waive the fee if he signed a document agreeing not to discuss his experience. He chose not to sign it.

Several others vacationers have complained on social media about being presented a similar contract.

Speaking with CTV, Wayne Smith, the director of the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research at Toronto Metropolitan University, said it’s unlikely that a contract like that would be upheld in a court.

“You need a doctor? Sign this NDA before you go to the doctor. That’s never going to be enforceable,” he told the outlet.

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