A GRANDAD died from food poisoning after eating a half-cooked chicken on holiday in the Canary Islands, an inquest heard.
Leslie Green was struck down with salmonella while at the Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura to celebrate his 70th birthday.
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The retired delivery driver, from Little Lever, Gtr Manchester, developed complications, including sepsis and kidney failure, and died in hospital four weeks later.
His death in November was caused by salmonella from the chicken, the inquest in Rochdale ruled.
His wife of 38 years, Julie — who also spent a week in hospital — said afterwards: “I still struggle to comprehend how we went on holiday, but Leslie didn’t come home.
“There’s now a gaping hole in our family.”
The hotel was app-roached for comment.
This comes as a man died after taking a fatal bite of a broccoli and sausage sandwich amid a growing botulism outbreak.
Broccoli has now been recalled in Italy after nine others were hospitalised with similar symptoms after eating the same meal from a food truck.
Luigi Di Sarno, 52, died on Thursday after eating the sandwich from a street vendor on the Diamante seafront in the province of Cosenza.
What is sepsis?
SEPSIS is a life-threatening reaction to an infection and happens when your immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage your body’s tissue and organs.
The condition is always triggered by an infection – but it is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person.
Most often the culprit is an infection we all recognise – pneumonia, urinary infections (UTIs), skin infections, including cellulitis, and infections in the stomach, for example appendicitis.
Typically, when a person suffers a minor cut, the area surrounding the wound will become red, swollen and warm to touch.
This is evidence the body’s immune system has kicked into action, releasing white blood cells to the site of the injury to kill off the bacteria causing the infection.
The white blood cells and platelets form blood clots in the tissues around the cut.
Blood vessels swell to allow more blood to flow, and they become leaky, allowing infection-fighting cells to get out of the blood and into the tissues where they are needed.
This causes inflammation, which appears to us as the red, warm swelling.
When sepsis happens, this system goes into overdrive.
The inflammation that is typically seen just around the minor cut, spreads through the body, affecting healthy tissue and organs.
The immune system – the body’s defence mechanism – overreacts and the result is it attacks the body.
It can lead to organ failure and septic shock, which can prove fatal.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites can all trigger sepsis – though the most dangerous culprit is bacteria.
In developing nations, the condition remains a leading cause of death.
Known by its colloquial name “blood poisoning”, sepsis is also often referred to as a “flesh-eating disease”.
Di Sarno’s family also fell ill as they were all rushed to Annunziata Hospital in Cosenza including two 17-year-olds and two women in their 40s.
Two of the patients were reportedly in a serious condition when they arrived at the intensive care unit.
They were all showing signs of botulism linked to the popular green vegetable.
Botulism is a rare condition which can often be life-threatening and is caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
It can attack the nervous system, leading to breathing issues, muscle paralysis, and, in about 10 per cent of cases, can be deadly.
The most common way to get botulism is by eating food contaminated with the toxin, usually due to improper processing.
The Paola Public Prosecutor’s Office immediately ordered the seizure of jars of broccoli in oil, according to local media.
After finishing the meal, the artist and musician was driving his loved ones back home to Cercola, in the province of Naples.
As they merged onto the highway near Lagonegro in Potenza, the 52-year-old suddenly fell ill.
His health rapidly worsened after he was forced to stop in the small town in Basilicata on Thursday.
Emergency officials were called but he tragically died before reaching hospital.
His family, alongside several other customers who ate the broccoli, received immediate care in Cosenza.
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Botulism: Everything you need to know
What Is It?
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
It affects the nervous system, leading to muscle paralysis and breathing difficulties.
How is it contracted?
The illness usually comes from eating food contaminated with the toxin. This often happens due to improper food processing, such as inadequate canning.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Double vision
- Difficulty swallowing
How serious is it?
Botulism can be life-threatening. In severe cases, it can cause death, with around 10 per cent of cases being fatal if not treated promptly.
Treatment:
If you think you are suffering from botulism poisoning, medical attention is crucial.
Treatment typically involves antitoxins and supportive care, including breathing assistance if necessary.
Prevention:
Ensure proper food processing and handling. Avoid consuming home-canned foods if you’re unsure about their safety
