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TWO people have died and two children are recovering in hospital after several people were poisoned by a toxic batch of guacamole.
The fatally contaminated avocado dip was served up to unsuspecting customers at a food festival before they showed signs of botulism.
School cook Valeria Sollai, 62, is said to have eaten the guacamole and then was rushed to hospital.
But she died on Monday after spending weeks on life support.
Roberta Pitzalis, 38, also ate the same batch of guacamole at the festival in Sardinia – before dying on August 8.
An autopsy confirmed Roberta died from a combination of botulism poisoning and pneumonia.
Several others required hospital treatment following the horrifying ordeal at the Fiesta Latina festival.
The food event took place in Monserrato, in Cagliari, between July 22-24.
One boy and one girl, aged 11 and 14 respectively, remain in hospital and are reported to have eaten from the same batch of guacamole.
A post-mortem for Valeria is set to take place.
She showed signs of recovery before suffering a relapse and tragically dying.
Her cousin Gianni Milia said: “It’s absurd that someone goes out for a relaxing evening, goes to a party, eats a sandwich and ends up in the hospital.
“She was with her sisters, they all ate the same sandwich, but only she fell ill.”
She added: “They were celebrating their older sister’s discharge from the hospital. A party turned into a tragedy.”
Describing Valeria, Monserrato mayor Tomaso Locci said: “She gave so much for our children.
“The news saddens us deeply. We will be present at the funeral as a community, as we were for Roberta Pitzalis, the other victim.
“This is a loss that affects us all.”
Valeria is survived by her husband, Angelo Aru, and her son Alessandro, a police officer in Campania.
In a Facebook post last month, Alessandro spoke about an unnamed patient with “worsening neurological conditions”.
He also made a heartbreaking appeal for people to be more careful with street food.
He said: “I strongly advise against eating any food sold at street stalls over the next few weeks.”
The poisoned 14-year-old girl is being treated at Monserrato Policlinico hospital.
Meanwhile, the 11-year-old has been flown to Rome’s Gemelli Policlinico and is said to be in a serious condition.
Botulism: Everything you need to know
What Is It?
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
It affects the nervous system, leading to muscle paralysis and breathing difficulties.
How is it contracted?
The illness usually comes from eating food contaminated with the toxin. This often happens due to improper food processing, such as inadequate canning.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Double vision
- Difficulty swallowing
How serious is it?
Botulism can be life-threatening. In severe cases, it can cause death, with around 10 per cent of cases being fatal if not treated promptly.
Treatment:
If you think you are suffering from botulism poisoning, medical attention is crucial.
Treatment typically involves antitoxins and supportive care, including breathing assistance if necessary.
Prevention:
Ensure proper food processing and handling. Avoid consuming home-canned foods if you’re unsure about their safety.
It comes amid mounting concern over food safety in Italy following similar events across the country.
Another deadly botulism outbreak was reported in the southern region of Calabria earlier this month.
It also comes after two people in Italy died after eating a toxic veggie and sausage sandwich in Italy.
More than a dozen people were hospitalised after eating the poisoned sandwiches from a food truck near the town of Diamante in Calabria.
Tamara D’Acunto, 45, died shortly after eating the panini made with turnip greens – a vegetable similar to broccoli – last week.
Luigi Di Sarno, 52, also died after taking a fatal bite from a sandwich bought from the same vendor.
In total, 17 other people have so far been hospitalised with food poisoning within 24 to 48 hours of eating the sandwiches.
They all showed signs of botulism – which is caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves.
The illness can lead to muscle paralysis, breathing difficulties and death.
It is typically caused by canned, preserved and fermented foods.
