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Boy, 13, dies after nine years in vegetative state from eating contaminated cheese

Mattia Maestri fell into a permanent vegetative state aged just four after eating cheese contaminated with the deadly bacteria E.Coli - he has now died nine years later

[Mattia Maestri]

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Mattia Maestri died after nine years in a vegetative state (Image: Jam Press)

A teenager has died nine years after eating contaminated cheese that left him in a vegetative state.

Italian Mattia Maestri, 13, ate raw-milk cheese contaminated with the deadly bacteria E.coli in June 2017 in the northern part of the country.

The boy's family have since been fighting a legal battle against those responsible, both at the cheese factory and with the healthcare professionals involved in the boy's care.

His father, Giovanni Battista Maestri, broke the news of his son's sad passing. In a message published by the newspaper Il Corriere del Trentino, he said: "Our Mattia has left us and, on his behalf, I thank you for helping to make his passing less painful."

Mattia was only four when he ate a piece of 'Due Laghi' cheese, produced from raw milk by the Coredo cheese dairy in the Non Valley in the Trentino.

His father claims the contamination was caused by errors in the milk collection process.

[ Giovanni Battista Maestri]

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His father, Giovanni Battista Maestri, announced news of his death(Image: Jam Press)

The tragic child eventually developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition linked to the breakdown of red blood cells.

It is closely associated with E.coli and can cause blood clots to form and impair blood flow to vital organs, including the brain.

Mattia eventually fell into an irreversible vegetative state. He was reportedly taking 47 medicines a day, suffered dozens of epileptic seizures every day and had lost his sight.

Two men from the dairy were convicted of causing grievous bodily harm after a long court battle.

Since his son became ill, his father founded a consumer group and published a book warning parents about the hidden dangers of unpasteurised dairy.

The book was presented to the Italian parliament earlier this year. Giovanni said: "I couldn't save him, but it will save other children.

The familys lawyers have also filed a complaint alleging aggravated negligent homicide and claim that Mattia and his parents have endured nine years of agony.

Speaking about his son's condition previously, Giovanni said: He fell into a coma, spent a month in intensive care at the hospital in Padua and then spent a year at a rehabilitation clinic in Conegliano, where they simply taught us how to look after him at home.

[Mattia Maestri]

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Mattia Maestri ate contaminated cheese aged just four (Image: Jam Press)

Mattia's funeral took place on Monday afternoon in Coredo, in the Non Valley in northern Italy, where dozens of people gathered to pay their respects to the 13-year-old boy.

Father Raymond Marcieca said: Mattias ordeal was a real trial, he did not have time to sin and will remain an angel forever.

His teachers paid tribute at the funeral, saying: You reminded us of the profound value of life, and we fondly remember your first day in class. You will always be a friend, and you will be that special magnet that keeps us united in our memories of the years we spent together at school.

Besides consuming unpasteurised products, people can also contract E.Coli through raw fruit and vegetables, undercooked meat, polluted water and farm animals.

Brits are advised to contact NHS 111 or their GP if they or their children show any symptoms of E. coli infection.

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