Davide Teruzzi, 50, met with pals for a tasty seafood meal but within hours all five of them were in hospital, suffering, and complaining about agonising stomach pains
A dad-of-two has died from food poisoning just one week after he tucked into a seafood feast with workmates.
Davide Teruzzi, 50, met up with friends for the meal of squid and risotto at a seafood restaurant in Milan, northern Italy, on May 4. But within hours, all five were in hospital complaining of agonising stomach pains. While all were released from hospital three days later, Davide fell desperately ill and was rushed to the city’s San Raffaele Hospital where he was placed in the intensive care until. Despite the work of doctors and nurses Davide died on May 11. City prosecutor Roberta Amadeo has ordered an autopsy on the body to determine how Davide died.
A health investigation into the now-closed restaurant’s kitchen has already identified poorly preserved mussels, often a key ingredient in paella. Friends at Milan’s transport company ATM, where Davide had worked for 24 years, knew the burly tram driver as the ‘gentle giant’.
The restaurant has not commented directly but two days before Davide’s death they responded to an online review left by one of his pals. The review posted on May 9 said: “Avoid! After eating at this place I got food poisoning!” And the restaurant responded: “We are very sorry to hear that, after having lunch with us, you (along with other colleagues) felt unwell.
“The health of our customers is an absolute priority for us, and we take what was reported very seriously. We are aware of what happened and have already started an in-depth internal review.”
They added: “The menu of the day was prepared according to our usual food safety standards. But as a precaution we have temporarily suspended some ingredients pending further investigations.”
Social media users were touched by Davide’s death. One Facebook user said: “He was my tram driver every morning. Always greeted with a smile. RIP Davide.” And his bosses said: “Davide was a valued member of our team. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
According to the NHS, food poisoning is rarely serious and can typically get better within a week in most circumstances. Symptoms of food poisoning can include:
- feeling sick or being sick
- diarrhoea
- tummy pain
- a high temperature
- feeling generally unwell
Symptoms typically do not present themselves until a few hours or a few days after eating a food that caused the infection. Sometimes symptoms do not start for a few weeks.
If you are suffering from suspected food poisoning it is recommended you remain at home until your symptoms resolve themselves. People are recommended to do the following:
- stay at home and get plenty of rest
- drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
- carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
- give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
- eat when you feel able to – it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy
- take paracetamol if you’re in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child