Bizarre twist on mystery illness

Guests of an 80th birthday party that was swept by a mystery illness that left 11 people unwell, causing some to even collapse during speeches, suspect a batch of “infamous” pea and ham soup cooked by the birthday boy himself is to blame.

Emergency crews were called to a house at Norman Park in Brisbane’s inner-east on Sunday afternoon where several people had fallen ill with initial concerns they’d been exposed to a toxic substance.

But some of the 64 guests now suspect the cause was a dish prepared by the birthday boy.

Guest Kellie Peta went along to the party with her dad to celebrate his best friend John’s 80th birthday. But during speeches things took a turn for the worst.

Ms Peta said she first saw one woman on the ground, and then another. All up, 12 people fell seriously ill and six were taken to hospital.

“They had speeches, with someone dressed as the King of England and he was on the balcony performing a joke speech. Everyone was looking up,” Ms Peta said.

“After that, I noticed one lady was on the ground but everyone was pretty calm about it. I told dad and it seemed like she just fainted.

“Next I notice a second woman also on the ground. I sort of jokingly said to dad, ‘maybe it was the pea and ham soup’.”

Those who fell ill all had symptoms of dry mouth and dizziness, and it’s understood they all had a bowl of the soup.

Queensland Ambulance Service assessed 10 elderly people at the scene, and took six of them to the Mater, Princess Alexandra or QEII hospitals.

At midnight paramedics were called to another home in Shorncliffe, and assessed a woman who had also attended the event. She began suffering symptoms and was taken to Princess Charles Hospital in a stable condition.

Ms Peta said the soup was made by the birthday boy.

Qld Fire and Emergency Services tested the food for a toxic substance, which came back clear. All six taken to hospital have been discharged.