Police have reported that a Kentucky kid passed away after consuming some strawberries bought from a school fundraiser.
The Madisonville Police Department stated they were alerted Friday at about 6:30 a.m. regarding an 8-year-old child who was not breathing or responding in his home. Responding police at the house found the family had brought the youngster to the ER the evening before.
Police claimed the situation started Thursday night when the youngster ate many strawberries he bought from a school fundraiser. He displayed symptoms suggestive of an allergic reaction, mostly shown as a rash. Benadryl was given by the family, who also bathed the lad.
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When the symptoms persisted, though, the youngster was taken to the ER at roughly 10:30 p.m. Leaving the ER at 1:24 a.m., the family headed back home. Changing his clothing, the eight-year-old headed to bed.
Police reported that the family discovered the youngster unresponsive the next morning and drove him to the medical examiner’s office to get an autopsy. Still pending are the final report and toxicological findings.
Police said numerous staff members said others had come in for treatment after eating strawberries thought to be from the same fundraiser while detectives were looking in the emergency department.
Medical authorities believe this is an isolated occurrence.
“It seems there was a single incidence in Hopkins County maybe connected to a strawberry allergy. At this moment, we do not have anyone admitted to our service; so, we believe this is related to the circumstances. As it becomes available, we do urge everyone to follow the Hopkins County Health Department for additional information and direction,” Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville Hospital said.
Still, continuous research on the strawberries is being done to verify whether any other elements were causing the youngster to die.
Major Jason McKnight of the Madisonville Police Department said, “Everything right now points to an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock.” Once more, though, this is only preliminary. Today was the autopsy; those final findings won’t be accessible for several weeks, if not months.
The Hopkins County Health Department and the Hopkins County Board of Education were advised of the matter as a precaution; a warning was given until more information could be found as plausible causes.
The New York Allergy & Sinus Center claims that one study revealed between 3% and 4% of toddlers aged two years old and under have strawberry allergies. Later in life, the rate fell below 1%.
The Hopkins County Health Department cautioned the public not to consume strawberries bought from Madisonville North Hopkins High School and Hopkins County Central High School during their school fundraiser.