United States: Casino Del Sol has officially confirmed that a norovirus outbreak was the catalyst for the abrupt cancellation of a large-scale convention over the weekend.
The Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention, originally slated to transpire from March 20-23 at the casino, was unexpectedly terminated on Saturday due to “ongoing medical concerns.”
On Tuesday, the casino disseminated an official statement to 13 News, elaborating on the circumstances leading to the event’s cancellation.
“Casino Del Sol was notified that individuals partaking in a private gathering at our establishment were exhibiting signs of illness,” the statement read. “A representative affiliated with the event apprised Casino Del Sol’s management that a guest had been diagnosed with norovirus, and at least two additional attendees were already unwell prior to their arrival. By Saturday, March 22, an increasing number of attendees, along with several Casino Del Sol personnel, reported experiencing gastrointestinal distress akin to symptoms of stomach flu,” according to reports by kold.com.
The Wild Wild West Steampunk Convention responded with a public statement on Tuesday, noting that they had not received any direct communication regarding the rationale behind the cancellation until Casino Del Sol’s media release.
Casino Del Sol, in coordination with the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Medical Authority, took steps after learning an attendee had norovirus. As a precaution, the event was concluded early, allowing for a deep cleaning of the affected hotel areas. https://t.co/fyzoWlPfcL
— KVOA News 4 Tucson (@KVOA) March 25, 2025
“It appears Casino Del Sol has now issued a press statement attributing their decision to close Wild Wild West Con to a norovirus outbreak,” the WWSC declared. “We wish to clarify that this is the first instance in which we have been apprised of this information, and it was conveyed to the media rather than directly to our team or management.”
On Saturday, 13 News visited the casino and observed an absence of signage indicating the event or its cancellation within the premises or near the convention center where it had been scheduled to take place.
The Pascua Yaqui Tribal Medical Authority, in conjunction with casino officials, asserted that “immediate intervention measures were enacted to curtail potential health risks.” The casino further stated that comprehensive decontamination procedures were undertaken, targeting the convention center, public lavatories, and the accommodations of affected guests, as outlined by kold.com.
A considerable number of individuals voiced their frustrations on social media, lamenting the short notice given for the cancellation. Reports suggest that vendors and attendees were informed merely two hours before being required to vacate the premises.
“This timeline was necessitated by the imperative need to swiftly vacate the area, enabling sanitization efforts to commence without delay,” the casino explained. “While we acknowledge the inconvenience this may have posed for vendors, our foremost concern was safeguarding the well-being of all guests and staff to forestall any further transmission of the virus.”
Additionally, social media users expressed dissatisfaction regarding the limited dissemination of information during the ordeal, as well as the casino’s decision to remain operational throughout the weekend.
“We recognize that there has been significant demand for immediate transparency, and we are grateful for the patience exhibited by our guests and the wider public as we worked to authenticate details and ensure the accuracy of our disclosures,” the casino stated. “Our primary focus throughout this process has been the health and safety of our patrons, employees, and the broader community. Swift action allowed us to effectively contain the outbreak and mitigate the potential for further spread.”
Compounding the controversy, some social media users criticized the WWSC for deleting a post regarding the situation on Saturday afternoon. In response, WWSC clarified that the post was removed “at the insistence of Casino Del Sol” to preserve a working relationship amidst the unfolding crisis, according to kold.com.
The WWSC further disclosed that it had reached out to Pima County authorities for guidance on the matter, only to be informed that “the Pascua Yaqui Health Department is overseeing the outbreak response.”