One fatality and 118 individuals have been hospitalized following the consumption of food from a well-known pizza establishment in Brazil, South America.
The deceased, identified as Raíssa Maritein Bezerra e Silva, aged 44, succumbed after eating pizza at a location in Pombal, situated in the Sertão region of Paraíba. Raíssa was among over 100 people who fell ill with suspected food poisoning and were transported to two medical facilities in the area post the incident.
Pombal Region Hospital reported that the woman was admitted on Monday exhibiting symptoms like stomach discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea, indicative of food poisoning. The hospital stated that her condition worsened swiftly, necessitating immediate medical attention leading to her transfer to the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition with signs of a severe infection.
Tragically, the woman passed away at 8:59 am the following day. Meanwhile, globo.com mentioned that Raquel Dantas, the attorney representing the venue, La Favoritta, awaited updates and was present during the site inspections carried out by the State Health Surveillance Agency, Agevisa.
A family member of Raíssa disclosed that she dined at the pizzeria with her partner on Sunday night and both started feeling unwell, prompting them to seek medical aid at Pombal Region Hospital. They received treatment, were discharged, but Raíssa returned the next morning.
Reports indicate that numerous patients exhibited food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Additionally, a report from the municipality’s Emergency Care Unit mentioned that 40 individuals had received treatment for food poisoning symptoms by Tuesday morning.
Seventy-four people with similar symptoms were admitted to the hospital in Pombal over Sunday and Monday. In response, health authorities visited the region, inspected the pizzeria, and subsequently shut it down due to health violations. Irregularities included improper food storage and the presence of insects on-site.
The local council stated that the case would be forwarded to Agevisa for further investigation, with ongoing monitoring. Following the inspection, Agevisa’s health inspector, Sérgio Freitas, condemned the establishment for breaching health regulations, deeming it unfit for operation.
Mr. Freitas mentioned that the pizzeria owner had been taken into custody, and the civil police would conduct an investigation while awaiting test results.
