Brindisi: Seven children hospitalized in suspected salmonella outbreak

Seven children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, along with a 15-year-old boy, have been hospitalized in Brindisi, Italy, due to a suspected salmonella outbreak. The children, all attending the same municipal nursery school, presented with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

The patients are currently under observation in the pediatric ward of the Perrino Hospital. While initial tests have confirmed salmonella in four of the eight hospitalized individuals, results for the remaining four are pending. Clinical conditions are reported to be non-serious.

The local health authority (ASL) of Brindisi has launched an investigation to identify the source of the foodborne infection. While inspections of the meal preparation center found no immediate hygiene or traceability irregularities, authorities are specifically testing samples of eggs and chicken served in the days preceding the onset of symptoms.