The 55-year-old father of the family remains in hospital after eating Christmas dinner, while an 18-year-old is currently being checked by doctors after the meal
A woman and her 15-year-old daughter have died after allegedly eating a ‘contaminated’ Christmas dinner. The pair are said to have died within hours of each other after eating dinner with their family.
50-year-old Antonella Di Ielsi and 15-year-old Sara Di Vita appear to have eaten fish, mussels and mushrooms during dinner in Pietracatella, Italy. Authorities believe they later developed fulminant hepatitis – liver failure – after suffering food poisoning.
Shortly after eating the meal, mother and daughter developed symptoms including nausea and abdominal pain. Sara was taken to the emergency room twice before doctors sent her home.
Her condition deteriorated and she died at Cardarelli Hospital at 11pm on Saturday. Antonella was taken to hospital shortly afterwards when she developed the same symptoms.
Vincenzo Cuzzone, from Cardarelli Hospital, told Il Messaggero: “The clinical picture took a truly rare turn, which quickly led to death, despite the care we provided.
“They started showing these symptoms after a meal, but this is fragmentary information collected from family members who were in shock.”
The doctor says Sara showed “general symptoms” when she arrived at the hospital. Although he says the “rapid and sudden progression” of the condition meant they decided to admit Antonella to hospital as a precaution.
He added: “After her death, and given the rapid and sudden progression of events, we asked the family to take her mother to hospital as well, as relatives reported that she was suffering from the same symptoms. We tried to stay ahead of the curve, but unfortunately that was not enough.”
Ganni Di Vita, 55, the father of the family, is said to have developed the same symptoms, reports La Parisien. He was transferred to the intensive care unit of Spallanzani Hospital in Rome, where he remains.
The couple’s 18-year-old daughter is being closely monitored. The doctor added: “It appears she did not eat with them that evening.”
Police took food samples from the home, including canned food and fresh produce, to try to determine which dish might have poisoned the family. The Public Prosecution Service has also started an investigation and ordered autopsies.
Mayor Antonio Tommasone said: “We are devastated. This is a tragedy that leaves us speechless. The village does not believe in such a tragedy. I offer my condolences and those of the entire community.”
Local villagers held a vigil at the hospital following the deaths, while Christmas events were cancelled. According to Il Messaggero, five doctors at the Cardarelli Hospital in Campobasso are under investigation for manslaughter.
Prosecutor Nicola D’Angelo says the investigation will look into possible negligence, try to find out what poisoned the couple, and “ensure no other citizens are involved in a tragedy of this nature.”
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