Three of four patients hospitalized at Cagliari’s Brotzu Hospital Neurology Unit for suspected botulism have been discharged. The cases stem from consuming guacamole sandwiches at the Fiesta Latina festival in Monserrato (Cagliari Metropolitan City) held July 22-25.
Two patients remain at Brotzu: a 38-year-old woman in intensive care and a middle-aged man in Neurology, both in stable condition. Monserrato’s Policlinico Hospital continues to treat two patients in intensive care: a 14-year-old now breathing independently and a 62-year-old woman still requiring ventilator support.
An 11-year-old boy remains hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Policlinico after emergency transfer on July 31. Authorities confirm three subsequent cases at Brotzu and Monserrato hospitals are unrelated to the festival outbreak.
Cagliari prosecutors have opened an investigation, reportedly listing the Fiesta Latina organizer as a person under investigation, though formal notification is pending. Botulism poisoning remains suspected but unconfirmed. Definitive analysis on seized guacamole samples is scheduled for Wednesday at Italy’s National Health Institute (Istituto Superiore di Sanità).