Italy records four deaths in botulism outbreak linked to contaminated food
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Italy records four deaths in botulism outbreak linked to contaminated food
Rome: Public concern is growing in Italy as several people have been hospitalised after consuming contaminated food, with botulinum food poisoning claiming the life of a 62-year-old woman in Sardinia on Tuesday. This brings the death toll in the country to four, Euro News reported. Valeria Sollai had been in the hospital in Monserrato, in the province of Cagliari, for several weeks. The woman had consumed a guacamole dish at the Fiesta Latina in Monserrato at the end of July. The same dish had earlier caused the death of Roberta Pitzalis, 36, who died at the Businco hospital in Cagliari, with the cause of death confirmed by autopsy. A 14-year-old girl remains hospitalised in the same city, Euro News reported. In addition to the two Sardinian victims, two other people died in Calabria from botulism. The cases have been traced back to contaminated industrial and household preserves. Carlo Alessandro Locatelli, director of the Maugeri Poison Control Centre in Pavia, told Euro News, "There is no alarm, but prevention is crucial, especially in the preparation of home preserves." He added, "Botulinum toxin is invisible and often does not alter the taste of food. The antidote is only effective in the early stages, when the toxin is still in the bloodstream." In recent weeks, the two outbreaks in Sardinia and Calabria have raised public concern. The Calabrian cluster involves 18 people who, in the first week of August in Diamante, in the province of Cosenza, consumed sandwiches with sausage and friarielli, a type of broccoli, bought from a street vendor. Luigi di Sarno, 52, and Tamara D'Acunto, 45, died after consuming the contaminated vegetables. Ten people are under investigation by the Paola public prosecutor's office, including the street vendor, three managers of companies producing the product, and six doctors from two health facilities in the Cosenza area who treated the victims before they died. They face charges of culpable homicide, culpable personal injury, and trading in harmful foodstuffs, Euro News reported. According to the Istituto Superiore di Sanita (Higher Institute of Health), analyses revealed that the poisoning was caused by more than one foodstuff, not just the friarielli used in the sandwiches. Euro News reported that between 2001 and 2020, Italy recorded 452 laboratory-confirmed cases of botulism, with an average lethality rate of 3.1 per cent. About 91 per cent of cases are foodborne, often linked to home-canned goods. In 2023, Italy recorded the highest number of botulism cases in Europe, with 36 confirmed reports, followed by Germany (16), France (15), Romania, and Spain (14 each). Experts say the Italian canning tradition, especially in southern regions, contributes to this high incidence. Home preservation of food, if not done correctly, can promote the growth of Clostridium botulinum , the bacterium responsible for botulism. Symptoms can appear from six hours up to seven days after consuming contaminated food and include double vision, dilated pupils, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking and swallowing, dry mouth, and constipation. Severe cases can impair breathing, necessitating intubation, Euro News reported.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Woman, 68, with 15% body fat shares 6 habits she swears by
At 68 years old, Ellen Latham doesn't just look fit 'for her age,' she's in better health than most people decades younger. 'I maintain around 15% body fat and strong, well-developed muscles throughout my body,' Latham told the New York Post. 'But for me, it's not just about looks, it's about strength, vitality, and how I feel every single day. ' Her philosophy is rooted in balance, discipline, and longevity rather than perfection. She's distilled her approach into six timeless secrets. Start early, but don't chase perfection Movement has always been part of Ellen's life. Growing up with a father who was both a physical education teacher and a football coach, she was immersed in sports and training from an early age. 'Fitness was the norm in my household,' she recalled. Over the years, she has competed in mini-triathlons, 10K races, and countless other endurance events. But like anyone else, she's had to adapt through life's seasons, juggling career changes, motherhood, and personal challenges. Each time, she returned to her core principle: recommitment. Her advice: Don't strive for perfection. Instead, focus on progress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo In her words, 'Let go of the idea of perfection. Progress is about being the best version of yourself.' By her 40s, she realized her focus had to shift. 'Longevity became the goal,' she explained. That mindset ultimately inspired Orangetheory's model: structured science-backed workouts built to serve people for decades, not just for quick results. Eat with intention, not restriction When it comes to strength and energy, Latham swears by nutrition as much as she does by her workouts. Her plate is built around whole, quality foods—think organic veggies, grass-fed meats, wild-caught fish, and plenty of high-quality protein. Protein, she says, is non-negotiable. She aims to eat about as many grams of it as her body weight every day, keeping her muscles fueled and her recovery on point. But here's the thing—she's not into the whole 'strict deprivation' lifestyle. 'I'm Italian,' she laughs, and for her, that means pasta, pizza, and yes, even the occasional cannoli still make the cut. At the heart of it, Latham's philosophy is balance. She eats mindfully, prioritizes fuel for performance, but also makes space for the foods that bring joy. No calorie-counting, no guilt trips—just habits that feel good now and are sustainable for decades. Train smart, not just hard Unlike the usual weekend warriors who push themselves without a plan, Latham sticks to a carefully structured routine that keeps her balanced and consistent. She works out six days a week, with each day mapped out for a specific purpose. For her, training smart is all about sustainability. Even today, she's lifting much of the same weight she handled years ago—just with a few adjustments to protect the joints that need extra care. Her approach isn't about chasing intensity for the sake of it, but about putting in purposeful effort that builds strength while keeping her body safe. Consistency is the real hack For Latham, it's not the fancy hacks or shortcuts that matter—it's good old consistency. She often says you don't need to push yourself with brutal workouts every single day. What really makes a difference is building a routine you can actually stick to. Even just three solid workouts a week, combined with simple daily movement, can completely change how you feel and live. Of course, she knows that aging brings its own set of challenges. Joints demand extra care, recovery becomes more important, and workouts need small adjustments. But she believes consistency is what makes those transitions smoother. In her words, the work you put in during your 30s and 40s pays dividends later. By the time you're in your 50s or 60s, you might be surprised at just how much strength you've managed to hold on to. That said, Latham doesn't sugarcoat the reality of biology. She points out that after 45, things do start to decline if you're not moving enough. That's why she swears by pairing cardio with strength training. 'Cardio tells you how long you'll live, strength tells you how well you'll age,' she likes to say. Use every tool for recovery and wellness Ellen doesn't limit her regimen to workouts. Recovery practices are equally important. She regularly uses infrared saunas, red-light beds, cold plunges, and structured rest. 'These help reduce inflammation, boost recovery, and keep my energy high,' she explained. She also advocates for stress management and proper sleep, which many overlook. 'Your nervous system plays a huge role in health. Don't ignore stress and rest.' As a woman, she also embraces modern medical support: hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. 'It's helped me maintain muscle and bone strength at a stage when many women lose both rapidly,' she said. Redefine progress by strength, not size At nearly 70, Latham doesn't measure progress by dress size or the number on the scale. Her workouts include farmer's carries, box jumps for bone density, and balance drills on vibration plates. None are flashy, but they help her move with confidence and avoid injury. 'These functional exercises are what let me live fully,' she said. 'It's about being able to carry groceries, climb stairs, or play with grandkids without hesitation.' Make it fun, make it last Above all, Latham believes fitness should be joyful. She emphasizes finding activities you enjoy. That's one reason Orangetheory was designed to be immersive and community-driven. 'When fitness feels uplifting instead of a chore, you'll keep coming back,' she said. She also highlights the power of community. Exercising with others provides encouragement and accountability while boosting mental health and even longevity. Ellen Latham is proof that aging doesn't have to mean decline. At 68, with 15% body fat, a thriving fitness empire, and boundless energy, she's showing what's possible when balance, discipline, and joy come together. Her message is simple yet profound: fitness is not about perfection, it's about consistency, strength, and living life to the fullest.
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Economic Times
Expand AYUSH-based services to promote integrative oncology approaches: Parliamentary panel
ANI Representational image. A parliamentary committee has recommended taking proactive steps to expand the institutional footprint of AYUSH-based healthcare services across the country to promote integrative oncology approaches and enable patients to benefit from diverse therapeutic options rooted in India's traditional knowledge systems for combating cancer. Headed by Narain Dass Gupta, the Committee on Petitions of the Rajya Sabha noted in its 163rd report presented on Wednesday that the penetration of alternative systems of medicine -- namely Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani and Siddha -- within the domain of cancer care remains significantly limited in comparison to allopathic treatment modalities. The Ministry of AYUSH has reported ongoing advancements in cancer-related research across these traditional systems. It also recommended the establishment of dedicated institutions for AYUSH-based cancer care in every state and Union Territory (UT), modelled on the All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi. "Such a move would broaden access, promote integrative oncology approaches and enable patients to benefit from diverse therapeutic options rooted in India's traditional knowledge systems," the panel said. The Committee further recommended that cancer be declared a notifiable disease across all states and UTs. It said reliable data is vital for assessing public health issues, particularly cancer, where comprehensive information is essential to track trends, design policies and plan infrastructure. At present, cancer data is primarily drawn from the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), which covers only about 18 per cent of the population, which is insufficient for a national picture. Healthcare professionals have long advocated for declaring cancer a notifiable disease. At present, the government's position is guided by WHO norms, which limit notification to communicable diseases. "However, given the rising cancer burden in India, this stance warrants a serious reconsideration. Given India's rising cancer burden, the Committee is of the view that declaring cancer notifiable would ensure systematic reporting, generate real-time and credible data, strengthen surveillance and enable evidence-based policymaking. "It would support targeted interventions, rational resource allocation, region-specific strategies and development of appropriate infrastructure," it said in the report. While some states have already made cancer notifiable, a national mandate would ensure uniform documentation and a clear picture of the disease burden. The Committee also noted that while banks, PSUs and corporates invest substantially in corporate social responsibility (CSR) largely in healthcare, education and women's empowerment, these efforts are often compliance-driven and concentrated around operational areas. It, therefore, recommended that a defined share of CSR funds be earmarked for cancer care to complement government efforts, particularly by establishing diagnostic centres, radiotherapy units and palliative care facilities in underserved and rural regions. Corporates should realign CSR strategies with national health priorities, shifting to a needs-based outcome-driven model that meaningfully addresses gaps in the cancer care ecosystem and contributes to inclusive nation-building, the panel said. Patient Assistance Programmes are a commendable initiative by the government aimed at ensuring access to affordable medicines, particularly for economically vulnerable sections of society, the panel noted. Programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) play a critical role in providing low-cost medicines to patients from low-income groups. It noted that while some pharmaceutical companies do offer patient support programmes, their presence remains limited. It recommended engaging more pharmaceutical manufacturers to implement such initiatives, particularly in areas where access to healthcare services is inadequate. "This would greatly enhance the accessibility and affordability of essential treatments for disadvantaged populations. The Patient Assistance Programmes must also educate the patients about the treatment methodologies available and ensure that they adhere to the treatment plan. "They should also be educated about the different government schemes available," the panel recommended.
