The cases of suspected food poisoning in Cagliari and in its surroundings continue to rise, and the hypothesis of botulinum takes hold. After the first eight episodes of intoxication recorded between yesterday and today, three other patients presented themselves in the emergency room of the area with symptoms that suggest a serious food toxication. The total suspected cases has now risen to eleven, with new hospitalizations.
A FUNCH FUNCHING FUND?
The new patients were hospitalized in health facilities in Cagliari: two at the Polyclinic of the Monsterrato Hospital-University and one at the Brotzu hospital, where the case evaluation is still underway. If the correlation with the other episodes were to be confirmed, the number of infected would be destined to grow further.
The kiosk under investigation
The investigations, coordinated by the Nas carabinieri, are trying to reconstruct the contagion chain to trace the food that caused the intoxication. A significant detail that emerged so far is that all the patients involved had eaten in the same street food kiosk during the Fiesta Latinathe event that took place between 22 and 25 July in Monserrato. The attention of the police is focused in particular on a stand that served Mexican Tacos, which may have been contaminated by the bacterium responsible for botulism.
How does botulism manifest itself?
Botulism can manifest itself in various ways depending on the type of toxin exposure. Food botulism is the most common form and generally occurs when consuming foods contaminated by botulinum toxin. The foods most frequently associated with food botulism are those preserved improperly, such as meat, fish, vegetables or household preserves not treated correctly. Symptoms usually begin between 12 and 36 hours after the ingestion of contaminated food and include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, breathing difficulties and paralysis.
The clinical situation and the severity of the case
At the moment, the health authorities have not officially confirmed that intoxication is caused by botulinum, but the neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms that are manifesting themselves in patients are compatible with a botulism toxication. In particular, one of the most serious cases concerns a child found in resuscitation, with his condition that is described as particularly worrying.
What to do if you participated in the event
The investigations are still in progress and the epidemiological framework remains in evolution. The authorities invite the population to pay close attention, in particular to those who participated in the Fiesta Latina And he presented symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties or other signals of food poisoning. In case of doubts, it is essential to go promptly at an emergency room for adequate diagnosis and treatment.
The concern remains high, and is working to definitively identify the cause of the intoxication and prevent any other cases.
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