Suspected salmonellosis in 60 children in Florence

Sources at the Mayer Hospital in Florence reported that 60 school-age children were treated in the emergency room for symptoms consistent with a food-borne infection. Ten of the children were admitted to pediatric wards due to the presence of more severe symptoms, which are presumed to be the result of a salmonellosis outbreak in multiple educational institutions within the Tuscan metropolitan city. The affected pupils attend schools in Sesto Fiorentino, Campi Bisenzio, Signa, Calenzano, and Barberino di Mugello, where canteens were temporarily closed as a precautionary measure until further inspections could be conducted. None of the young patients’ lives are in danger and their symptoms are improving. A series of inspections were conducted by the local health authority at the school catering company that had been granted a contract to provide food services at educational institutions. However, no significant issues were identified during the inspections.