Four Australian women were hospitalised in Fiji. Now the toxicology reports are back.

Seven tourists, including four Australian women, and an American, were hospitalised after drinking cocktails at the luxury Warwick Resort on Fiji's Coral Coast.

The ABC reports that the group fell ill on Saturday, December 14, exhibiting symptoms such as "nausea, vomiting, and neurological distress, according to local authorities."

The incident is being investigated as a suspected 'alcohol poisoning'.

Early toxicology reports suggest it wasn't methanol poisoning.

Toxicology reports on the cocktails consumed at the Warwick showed no signs of "illicit substances or methanol" in the ingredients, said one of Fiji's Deputy Prime Ministers, and also the Minister for Tourism, Viliame Gavoka.

"I can confirm that no illicit substances or methanol were found in the ingredients or liquor samples," he shared in a recent press interview.

"All of the affected tourists and the locals have now been discharged from medical care, fully recovered. This is a significant relief."

"No tourist wants to end their holiday in illness and we are sorry that their holiday ended on such a note."

However, officials are still waiting for the toxicology reports taken from the patients themselves. It's hoped this will shed more light on the catalyst for their illnesses, as at this stage, it is still unknown, per the ABC.

"There are many causes of the symptoms they presented with. It could be chemical, it could be infection," said Fijian Health Secretary James Tudravu .

"[But] there is no evidence of illicit drugs or methanol."

Fiji's deputy prime minister hints at an alleged smear campaign.

Speaking about the media coverage of the suspected 'alcohol poisoning', one of Fiji's Deputy Prime Ministers, Manoa Kamikamica, was asked about whether it may have been exaggerated.

The journalist asking the question claimed that much of it had gone "overboard".

He responded, "There's not been any reason to link this incident to any others. Although there have been brands of spirits bandied around as having been the culprit ingredient in whatever they had, that will all have to await the test results.

"In the meantime, we would like to tell everyone that it's safe to come to Fiji.

"And we also have to find out who is giving out that negative press on Fiji as a destination. Are they competitors for our tourist visitors?" he said with a questioning smile.

Fellow deputy Gavoka said that the results of the toxicology reports were good news.

"No evidence of alcohol poisoning is great news for Fiji, especially for our vital tourism industry," he stressed. "Fiji is and continues to be a safe and reliable destination for travellers.

"As we have emphasised throughout this situation, Fiji upholds the highest standards when it comes to food, beverages and overall safety.

"The health and wellbeing of our visitors remains our top priority."

Health Secretary, Tudravu, said, "From the ministry of health perspective, we are still investigating."

Watch: The press conference on the motive behind the suspected alcohol poisoning. Post continues below.

How did the incident occur?

It's reported the tourists consumed ready-made pina colada cocktails at the Suva Wing Bar, near the adult pool at the Warwick resort, with Gavoka telling local news outlet FBC News that the pre-packaged drinks and samples from the patients were sent to Australia for analysis.

He claims the same drinks were served at other bars but the guests did not get ill.

"The whole case is quite mystifying, but we are doing everything we can in terms of the health ministry and the police to really determine what happened on that evening when these people were served with pina colada in one of these bars," he told FBC News.

Are the Fiji suspected alcohol poisoning victims ok?

The victims, aged between 18 and 56, were initially treated at Sigatoka Hospital, but all were later transferred to Lautoka Hospital, where they remained under close medical supervision, per the Fiji Times.

According to Herald Sun, staff at the Sigatoka Hospital confirmed: "They have already been transferred to Lautoka Hospital, it's a tertiary hospital, a bigger hospital. All of them went."

Warwick Resort Fiji. Image: Facebook.

Among the Australians, a 56-year-old woman was under constant surveillance, while a 19-year-old had been experiencing severe medical episodes.

They have since been identified as Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, and her mother Tanya.

Their father and grandfather, David Sandoe, gave an interview about their condition, calling it a "horrific experience". He confirmed that they were flown back to Australia.

"We don't know exactly the situation… but from what I know, our granddaughter's condition is certainly worse than her mother," Mr Sandoe told the Daily Telegraph on December 16.

"But she does appear to be improving, which is good news."

Two other Australian women, aged 49 and 18, were in a critical condition.

As of December 19, all patients have been discharged, including the final patient, Tanya, who spent four days in intensive care, per ABC.

One guest at the Fiji resort reported witnessing a friend suffer seizures and become unresponsive just hours after drinking cocktails at the bar.

Fiji acted quickly.

Fiji's Ministry of Health immediately dispatched a team of health inspectors to the resort to investigate the incident. Local police also conducted inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the poisoning.

Staff at the Warwick said they were stunned that people became ill at their resort.

"We are trying to get to the bottom of it right now," a staff member said on December 15, per the Herald Sun. "We don't have any information, right now we can't disclose any information."

"We just know they had cocktails at the bar at the resort," Fiji journalist Mereoni Mili told Morning Report.

"Knowing our economy relies heavily on tourism, this will be a worry not only for the authorities but also for stakeholders of the tourism industry. They will be taking precautionary measures, I believe, to ensure this does not escalate."

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman confirmed two Australian families were receiving consular assistance in Fiji.

DFAT also updated its travel advice for Fiji, urging Australians to exercise caution when consuming alcoholic beverages, including a mention of potential methanol poisoning.

"Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks," the updated advice on Smartraveller stated. "Get urgent medical help if you suspect drink spiking."

The incident comes after a recent tragedy in Laos, where two young Australian women, Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, died in November from methanol poisoning, after consuming tainted alcohol while on holiday.

Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, died in November from methanol poisoning. Image: Facebook.

The Laos incident left six tourists dead, shining a harsh light on the dangers of counterfeit or improperly prepared alcoholic beverages in the region.

While the exact cause of the Fiji incident is still under investigation, it has prompted renewed concern over drink safety in tourist hotspots.

As the investigation unfolds, tourists are reminded to remain vigilant about their drink choices.

Feature Image: Warwick Fiji Facebook/Instagram.