A baby and two adults, all members of the same family, remain hospitalized following the tragic incident that occurred Saturday afternoon in Havana, in which a mother and her child died after ingesting nitro salt thinking it was regular salt.
The victims, identified as Doraima García Moroña, 25 years old, and her daughter Nashlyn Salet Hernández García, five years old, were urgently taken to the Andrés Ortiz polyclinic in the municipality of Guanabacoa, but nothing could be done for them.
It was not possible to work with them because they arrived deceased, stated the provincial health director, Manuel Rivero Abello, to Canal Caribe.
According to the official, an uncle who lived with them and also became intoxicated reported that they had consumed "a type of salt," which the doctors suspected was nitro, as the characteristics of the patients' clinical condition occur only with that type of salt.
Caused immediate death. Vomiting occurred, and immediately the girl and her mother died, detailed Rivero Abello.
At this moment, a baby under one year old who was being breastfed is hospitalized. "We have her in the Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana in intensive care, under observation, but she is out of danger for now," he specified.
Doraima García's mother and her uncle have also been hospitalized; both reported having tasted the food and were transferred to Miguel Enríquez Hospital (La Benéfica), and "they are in good health."
Nevertheless, they remain under observation due to the danger posed by the condition related to the ingestion of this type of salt and how the individual is handling it, the doctor indicated, adding that "all emergency response teams" in the province have been mobilized in case other cases arise.
Rivero Abello noted that the family brought the envelope with the salt to the polyclinic, which the victims' uncle purchased on Compostela Street in Old Havana. "When his health permits, he will be interviewed" by the police, he said.
The incident caused shock in the municipality of Guanabacoa.
The official statement from the Provincial Health Directorate indicated that authorities from the Communist Party and the Government visited the health center where the patients were treated.
The Ministry of the Interior has initiated an investigation to clarify the causes of the incident and determine accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions about the poisoning incident in Havana
What is saltpeter and why is it dangerous?
Saltpeter is a type of nitrate that is primarily used in the food industry as a preservative. It is highly toxic if ingested in large quantities, as it can lead to severe poisoning, such as the one that resulted in the immediate death of a mother and her daughter in Havana.
What is the current status of the survivors of the incident?
Currently, a baby and two adults are hospitalized but out of danger. The baby is in intensive care at the Pediatric Hospital of Centro Habana, while the two adults are in good health but under observation at Miguel Enríquez Hospital.
How did the poisoning incident in Havana originate?
The incident occurred when a family consumed nitro salt, believing it was regular salt. The salt was purchased on Compostela Street, in Old Havana, and is under investigation to clarify its origin and how it came into the family's possession.
What actions are the Cuban authorities taking after the incident?
The Ministry of the Interior has initiated an investigation to clarify the causes of the incident and determine responsibilities. Additionally, all emergency services in the province have been activated in case other similar cases of poisoning arise.
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