Man Dead, 9 Others Rushed to the Hospital After Eating Sandwiches amid Botulism Outbreak
A man has died, and nine others have been hospitalized, after they ate sandwiches containing broccoli amid a botulism outbreak
Luigi Di Sarno, 52, collapsed and later died after eating a broccoli and sausage sandwich from a food truck
Investigators are now looking into the botulism outbreak, and a local Poison Control Center is distributing antidotes for the foodborne illness to hospitalsA man has died, and nine others have been hospitalized, after they ate sandwiches containing broccoli amid a botulism outbreak.
According to reports from The Mirror and 7 News, 52-year-old Luigi Di Sarno collapsed after eating a sandwich from a food truck in the Italian town of Diamante, located along the coast in Calabria.
Di Sarno, an artist and musician, was among several people who ate a broccoli and sausage sandwich. The other victims, including two teenagers and members of Di Sarno's family, were taken to the nearby Annunziata Hospital and placed in intensive care.
The Mirror reported that two of the patients are still in serious condition.
The news comes about two weeks after a 38-year-old woman died after eating a taco with guacamole at a festival in Cagliari, located on the Italian island of Sardinia.
An 11-year-old boy, who also ate the guacamole, was flown to Rome from Sardinia and hospitalized, the outlets reported.
The Mirror and 7 News also reported that various Italian government agencies are investigating the botulism outbreak and are collecting samples of the affected foods, as well as shutting down food vendors that have been impacted.
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Although the type of product that has been recalled has not been confirmed, 7 News reported that officials are seizing broccoli preserved in oil, per local outlets.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), botulism is caused by the toxin clostridium botulinum. It attacks the body's nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death in rare cases.
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"Foodborne botulism can happen by eating foods that have been contaminated with botulinum toxin," the CDC states. "Common sources of foodborne botulism are homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved or fermented. Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin."
Achille Ordine, the mayor of Diamante, asked the public in a statement shared on Facebook on Aug. 7 to not panic or circulate rumors as the Public Prosecutor's Office of Paola is investigating.
The Calabria's Department of Health and Welfare also said in an Aug. 8 statement that any cases of botulism should be reported to Italy's Poison Control Center, as hospitals do not stock the botulism antidote on a regular basis.
Military aircraft recently transported the antidote to various impacted hospitals, the agency added.
"Annunziata Hospital currently has a stockpile of the antidote. This is an exceptional measure due to the emergency situation, despite the fact that standard practice does not require hospitals to directly hold the drug," the department wrote.
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Immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immune-based treatments are showing encouraging results, particularly for recurrent, metastatic, and PD‑L1‑positive cervical cancers, where traditional chemotherapy offers limited benefit. By stimulating the body's own immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells, these therapies have been linked to longer survival and improved progression-free outcomes in international studies. Access to such innovative care remains uneven, prompting patients to seek specialized oncology centers abroad. Through coordination platforms such as Booking Health, individuals are able to connect with leading hospitals in Germany and other countries that offer advanced cervical cancer immunotherapy programs. These multidisciplinary approaches combine personalized treatment planning, modern diagnostics, and targeted immune modulation to address late‑stage disease. As immunotherapy research continues to expand, it represents a significant shift in the management of advanced cervical cancer, giving more women a realistic chance at extended survival and an improved quality of life. Key Takeaways: Immunotherapy's Impact on Advanced Cervical Cancer Immunotherapy offers hope for women with stage 4 cervical cancer, especially when other treatments have failed. It works by strengthening the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells more effectively. Most effective in patients with PD-L1-positive, recurrent, metastatic, or invasive cervical cancer. Recent phase III clinical trials show longer survival and improved median progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone. Booking Health connects international patients with leading European hospitals that specialize in cervical cancer immunotherapy and personalized care. These breakthroughs represent a major advancement in the treatment of metastatic cervical cancer – delivering not only longer survival, but also a significantly improved quality of life. To explore your personalized treatment options, contact Booking Health today and take the next step toward advanced cervical cancer care. Side_Effects About Booking Health Booking Health™ is the international platform for rapid access to innovative treatments in the world's leading certified clinics. Our network features over 250 top-tier hospitals across the globe, all distinguished by the exceptional levels of medical accreditation and expertise. By arranging care with the help of Booking Health company, you benefit from comprehensive medical support based on the latest innovations and personalized coordination. We offer cost saving up to 70% compared to direct booking via clinics — all without compromising on quality. Choosing Booking Health means more than just acquiring access to innovative world-class therapy - it means saving valuable time knowing that every detail is handled by professionals. Headquartered in Bad Hönningen, Germany and officially registered in Düsseldorf under HRB 106466, Booking Health proudly consults patients from over 75 countries for over a decade, offering services in 11 languages. Press inquiries Booking Health Lena Hanten marketing@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
