A 17-year-old boy has died and eight family members have been hospitalised after eating a donated fish meal on New Year's Day in Piauí, north-east Brazil. Manoel Leandro da Silva died in an ambulance on the way to hospital in Parnaíba. Police say the victims ate the fish but left the rice that was also provided.
Three relatives remain in a very serious condition, including Francisca Maria da Silva, 32, whose two sons died last year after eating poisoned cashew nuts. In that case, a neighbour, Lucélia Maria da Conceição Silva, 52, was charged with double homicide. Police have found no link between the two incidents.
Investigators are testing blood, urine, and stomach contents to identify the toxic substance. A forensic team has also collected food from the family home. The people who donated the fish have come forward voluntarily and are due to be questioned.
Hospital director Carlos Teixeira said patients showed symptoms including low heart rate, intense sweating, and reduced consciousness. Two of the nine affected have already been discharged.
