Botulinum poisoning in Calabria and Sardinia, three investigated for manslaughter

Three people are under investigation, in various capacities, for manslaughter, culpable personal injury and trading in harmful foodstuffs in connection with the botulinum case in Diamante (Cosenza). This was announced by the Paola Public Prosecutor's Office, emphasising that the suspects are the itinerant trader who allegedly sold the contaminated product and the legal representatives of two companies that allegedly supplied the foodstuffs used to prepare the products sold. The deceased are a man originally from Naples and a woman resident in the Cosenza area, who died on Thursday.

"The investigations,' writes the Public Prosecutor's Office led by Domenico Fiordalisi, 'have so far made it possible to ascertain that the victims and those infected had consumed a potentially contaminated foodstuff, purchased from an itinerant trader operating in the Diamante area. On the orders of the deputy prosecutor Maria Porcelli, the van used for street vending was seized'. Initial findings, continues the prosecutor's note, 'indicate that the vehicle was stationed for the entire day under the sun, a condition that could have favoured the proliferation of botulinum toxins in perishable products, especially if not properly stored'. The investigators also point out that 'the accusatory hypotheses are at an embryonic stage and will be subject to further technical and scientific verification, also with the support of the Nas and the competent Asp. The judicial authority reserves the right to make any further determination upon the outcome of the investigations and microbiological tests'. "It should be noted,' the note states, 'that in some cases, the clinical course was aggravated by the lack of timely diagnosis, as the symptoms were not immediately recognised as being compatible with botulinum intoxication, thus delaying the start of specific treatment'. The Public Prosecutor's Office 'will continue to follow the development of the case with the utmost attention, being aware of its relevance for public health and food safety'. "Any other consumers who bought food from street vendors in the Diamante area in the days preceding the onset of the symptoms are invited to urgently contact the health facilities," the Public Prosecutor's Office concludes.

The first case occurred last week after a street party in the commune of Monserrato, a municipality located in the metropolitan area of Cagliari. Eight people ended up in hospital. Among them was a 38-year-old woman who died today from sudden complications after being hospitalised for probable botulinum intoxication.

The woman, according to reconstructions, had eaten a taco with guacamole - Mexican avocado sauce - at a kiosk at Fiesta Latina. The death occurred due to complications in her serious but stable condition. After an aggravation there was a transfer to the intensive care unit.

Among the hospitalised patients is an 11-year-old boy, the most serious, who was urgently transferred to the Policlinico Gemelli in Rome a few days ago. His condition is currently stable but without any significant improvement and he is still in paediatric intensive care. The other seven intoxicated people are still hospitalised in Cagliari's Brotzu and Policlinico hospitals. The Cagliari Public Prosecutor's Office, meanwhile, has opened an investigation and one person is under investigation.