An Italian musician died after eating a simple broccoli sandwich. 52-year-old Luigi Di Sarno supposedly ate a contaminated broccoli and sausage sandwich from a street vendor, which caused his death. Nine others are in the hospital. The Italian authorities have announced a nationwide alert after a suspected botulism outbreak.
Luigi was a well-known musician from Cercola in the Naples province. He was returning from a family holiday vacation in Calabria when the tragedy occurred, according to the London Evening Standard.
Details of the Incident
On Thursday, Di Sarno and his family stopped at a food truck on the seafront in Diamante, Cosenza province, to buy broccoli and sausage sandwiches. While driving along the highway near Lagonegro in Potenza, Di Sarno suddenly became unwell and pulled over in Basilicata. Although emergency services were called, he died before reaching the hospital.
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9 Others Affected
Nine other people, including some of Di Sarno’s relatives, two teenagers, and two women in their 40s, also became ill after eating from the same vendor. All were admitted to the intensive care unit at Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza. Two patients remain in serious condition.
Link to Wider Outbreaks
This incident follows another botulism scare just weeks earlier in Sardinia. Between July 22 and 25, eight people were hospitalized after eating guacamole from a Mexican food stand at the Fiesta Latin festival in Monserrato. According to The Mirror, a 38-year-old woman died after eating tacos with guacamole at a Cagliari festival, and an 11-year-old boy had to be flown to Rome for urgent treatment.
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What is Botulism?
Botulism is a serious and rare illness which is caused by toxins from Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It can form in improperly processed food items. It can cause breathing difficulties, affect the nervous system, and cause muscle paralysis. It is proven to be fatal in 10% cases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains, “Foodborne botulism can happen by eating foods that have been contaminated with botulinum toxin. Common sources…are homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved or fermented. Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin.”
