US couple

Probe into US couple's death focusing on toxin

The couple died while on a holiday in Nadi last month and infectious diseases have been ruled out as the cause of death.

Michelle's father Marc Canalog told the Fiji Times he was informed by officials from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that investigators were focusing on the toxic chemical paraquat.

Paraquat is a herbicide widely used in Fiji.

Organisations involved and supporting the Ministry of Health in the investigation include the CDC and the World Health Organisation.

     

Infectious cause ruled out in deaths of US tourists to Fiji

David Paul and Michelle Calanog Paul from Fort Worth in Texas arrived in Fiji for a holiday on 22 May and reportedly died within days of each other.

The Ministry said it had advised the couple's family of their findings after an extensive investigation with help from the US Centre for Disease Control, the World Health Organisation and a medical forensics unit in Australia.

The Ministry said there was no risk to the public and the five people in contact with the deceased couple were under observation, but they are all in good health and have returned to work.