Mattia Maestri, an Italian boy who spent nine years in a vegetative state after consuming cheese contaminated with E. coli bacteria, died at the age of 13. The information was released by the family, who stated that they will continue to mobilize to prevent similar cases from happening again.
Boy dies after 9 years in a vegetative state from contaminated cheese
Mattia Maestri, an Italian boy who spent nine years in a vegetative state after consuming cheese contaminated with E. coli bacteria, died at the age of 13. The information was released by the family, who stated that...
The episode occurred on June 5, 2017, when Mattia was 4 years old. He ate a slice of cheese made from raw milk and, shortly after, developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious illness that can be caused by certain strains of the Escherichia coli bacteria.
The child received initial care and was transferred to different health units. At the time, the family stated that errors in diagnosis and inadequate medical decisions contributed to the worsening of the condition. Mattia fell into a coma and has remained in a vegetative state ever since.
During the next nine years, he required permanent assistance at home and received up to 47 medications a day.
The death was announced by his father, Giovanni Battista Maestri, this weekend.
“Our Mattia has left us and, on his behalf, I thank everyone who helped make his departure less painful,” he declared, according to the newspaper La Sicilia.
After the case, Giovanni created a consumer association dedicated to raising awareness about the risks of foods considered potentially dangerous.
“I can’t save my Mattia, but I will make sure Mattia can save other children,” he said.
The family also began a legal dispute. The Italian court recognized the relationship between the contaminated food and the boy's serious health condition. The former president of the cheese factory and the master cheesemaker were convicted of the injuries caused. The pediatrician who, according to family members, refused to treat the child was accused of failing to fulfill her obligations as a public servant.
Over the years, Giovanni refused financial compensation and focused his work on defending changes in legislation. He published a book on the risks of cheeses made from unpasteurized milk and participated in a hearing in the Italian Parliament.
Mattia's father started to defend the mandatory inclusion of visible health warnings in these products, especially to guide families with children, pregnant women, the elderly and immunosuppressed people.
Answer your questions about measles and vaccination to contain the spread of the disease
After confirmed cases in 2026, the Ministry of Health recommends a new dose of the measles vaccine for people aged 6 months to 59 years in São Paulo, Guarulhos and São Bernardo do Campo, even for those who are already immunized
Source: Noticias ao Minuto
Next recommended read
This story was originally published by Noticias ao Minuto. Visit the original publication for further details.
Open original publication
