The pair are believed to have eaten a meal containing fish, mussels and mushrooms and died within hours of each other after developing symptoms including nausea and abdominal pain
A mum and her 15 year old daughter have tragically died after allegedly consuming a “contaminated” Christmas meal.
The pair are believed to have passed away within hours of each other following a family dinner.Antonella Di Ielsi, 50, and 15 year old Sara Di Vita are thought to have consumed fish, mussels and mushrooms during the festive meal.
Officials suspect they subsequently developed fulminant hepatitis – acute liver failure – after suffering food poisoning. Soon after consuming the meal in Pietracatella, Italy., the mother and daughter began experiencing symptoms including sickness and stomach pain.
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Sara was rushed to A&E twice before doctors discharged her home. Her health worsened, and she passed away at Cardarelli Hospital at 11pm on Saturday. Antonella was admitted to hospital shortly afterwards when she began showing identical symptoms reports the Mirror US.
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 began to show these symptoms after a meal, but this is fragmentary information gathered from family members who were in shock.”
The medic says Sara arrived at hospital with “generic symptoms”.
However, he explains that the “rapid and sudden progression” of the illness prompted them to admit Antonella as a precautionary measure. He continued: “After her death, and given the rapid and sudden progression of events, we asked the family to bring her mother to the hospital as well, since relatives reported that she was suffering from the same symptoms. We tried to stay ahead of the curve, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.”
The family’s patriarch, Ganni Di Vita, 55, is reported by La Parisien to have exhibited the same symptoms. He was rushed to the intensive care unit at Spallanzani Hospital in Rome, where he remains. Their 18 year old daughter is under close observation. The doctor further noted: “It seems that she did not have dinner with them that evening.”
Police collected food samples from the residence, including canned goods and fresh produce, in an attempt to identify the potential source of the poisoning. The public prosecutor’s office has also initiated an investigation, ordering post-mortem examinations.
Village mayor Antonio Tommasone expressed his shock, saying: “We are devastated. This is a tragedy that leaves us speechless. The village is in disbelief at such a tragedy. I offer my condolences and those of the entire community.”
Local residents held a vigil at the hospital following the tragic deaths, and Christmas festivities were called off. As per Il Messaggero, five doctors from Cardarelli Hospital in Campobasso are being investigated for manslaughter.
Prosecutor Nicola D’Angelo revealed the inquiry would investigate potential negligence, work to determine what caused the pair’s poisoning, and “ensure that no other citizens are involved in a tragedy of this nature”.
