Sudden Death After Eating at Pizza Restaurant and Returning to Hotel
Had Peanut Allergy... Local Police Investigating
A tragic incident occurred in Rome, Italy, where a teenage girl from the UK died shortly after dining at a local restaurant during a family trip, prompting authorities to launch an investigation. The girl was known to have a peanut allergy. On the 31st of last month (local time), Italian daily Corriere della Sera, The Guardian, and other foreign media reported that the teenage girl, who was visiting Rome on a trip, suddenly died after having dinner.
Skyla (14), who visited Rome for a trip, had dinner with her family at a pizza restaurant located in Gianicolense, Trastevere district on the 24th of last month, and then returned to the hotel. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo by Pixabay]
Skyla (14), who was visiting Rome for a trip, had dinner with her family at a pizza restaurant located in the Trastevere district’s Gianicolense area on the 24th of last month, then returned to the hotel. About 15 minutes after arriving, she suffered a seizure shock and was immediately taken by ambulance, but she passed away before reaching the hospital. It was investigated that Skyla experienced anaphylactic shock due to an allergic reaction.
Anaphylactic shock refers to a hypersensitive reaction by the body to a specific substance. It is a severe allergic condition where symptoms appear throughout the body even with minimal exposure. If treated immediately, recovery is usually without major issues, but if delayed, symptoms such as difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness can occur, potentially leading to death. The most important treatment for anaphylactic shock is the use of epinephrine. If a portable epinephrine injector is available, it should be self-administered into the thigh first, followed by an immediate visit to the hospital. In addition to epinephrine, antihistamines, steroids, and blood pressure boosters may also be used to alleviate symptoms.
The causes of anaphylactic shock vary. Common foods such as seafood, dairy products, and nuts can be triggers, and in adults, medications or insect stings can also be major causes. Skyla was known to have a peanut allergy. Local police are investigating whether the food served at the pizza restaurant contained peanut ingredients. Some suspect that the last menu item served at the local restaurant, a dessert, may have contained allergenic substances.
Skyla’s parents claimed that they informed the waiter of their daughter’s peanut allergy in a mix of Italian and English when ordering. However, it is unknown whether the waiter fully understood or if the information was conveyed to the kitchen. Local police are conducting an autopsy and toxicology tests to determine the exact cause of death. Skyla’s family has returned to the UK and plans to visit Rome again to retrieve the body once the forensic examination is complete.
Previously, The Guardian reported a similar incident in 2015. At that time, a 7-year-old British boy with a dairy allergy died after eating pasta made with milk while traveling along the southern Italian coast of Sorrento. After a prolonged legal battle against the restaurant, the waiter who served the food was found guilty of negligent homicide and sentenced to two years probation. However, the chef was acquitted. The family received compensation of ?288,000 (approximately 515.58 million KRW).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
