Lucrezia Ciotti The gastroenteritis outbreak in schools in Val Trompia, near Brescia , is growing : 89 people are showing symptoms and 14 children are hospitalized. Initial tests have detected cases of Salmonella , while investigations are still ongoing to identify the source of the contamination.
Suspected salmonella outbreak in Brescia schools: 89 cases, 14 children hospitalized
As reported by Brescia Today , the number of people experiencing gastrointestinal problems has risen to 89 in the outbreak affecting several nurseries, preschools, and elementary schools in Val Trompia, in the Brescia province. The cases are primarily in the areas of Concesio, Marcheno, and Gardone Val Trompia , including some hamlets, and involve both children and adults, including some school canteen workers.
The symptoms , which appeared mainly between September 11 and 13, include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Fourteen children are still hospitalized , nine at the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia and five at the Poliambulanza hospital. According to ATS, their conditions are " stable or improving . " Initial tests conducted at the hospital have confirmed the presence of Salmonella in some patients , a factor that is guiding the investigations but does not currently allow us to definitively establish the source of the infection.
Analysis of the meals is still underway; the cooking center in Brescia has been shut down.
It remains unclear whether the bacterium was also present in food distributed to schools in the days before the onset of symptoms. Tests on food samples are underway, and ATS Brescia has specified that " the results will be available in a few days . " It will also be necessary to verify whether any microorganism isolated in the food matches the one identified in the patients.
Also under observation is the cooking center that prepared 219 meals on September 10 and 210 on September 11 , a facility that has been closed since September 14. Since then, ATS explained, meals destined for local schools have been produced in centers " not involved in the incident . " Meanwhile, ATS and NAS are continuing their investigations to reconstruct the possible origin of the contamination and determine any responsibilities. CGIL and Filcams Cgil Brescia have also expressed concern for the workers involved and asked that all necessary preventive measures be adopted pending the conclusion of the investigations.