Killed by a duck egg?
Husband dies of rare salmonella linked to food bought at show
A MAN died after apparently catching salmonella by eating duck eggs bought at an agricultural show, an inquest hearing heard yesterday.
Niptoon Tavakoli, 65, died in hospital two months after falling ill with sickness and diarrhoea.
A pre-inquest review heard how Mr Tavakoli had fried and eaten four duck eggs that he bought at the county fair last June. Coroner Nicola Mundy said: ‘There has been an investigation into the source of the salmonella.’
She said the investigation found the duck eggs were sold at the Messingham Show in north Lincolnshire by a Melton Mowbray ‘deli’ but were originally sourced from a farm cottage business.
Richard Baker, for Mr Tavakoli’s widow Cheryl, told the hearing: ‘It’s a death by notifiable disease.’
He added: ‘There is no regulation over the supply of duck eggs.’
A jury inquest will be held later this year at Doncaster into the rare salmonella death.
Mr Tavakoli became ill five days after buying eggs at the show.
His medical treatment has also come under scrutiny and the hearing was told there was an ‘acknowledged delay in getting him to hospital.’ An ambulance went to his family home in Lindholme, Doncaster, on June 7 but decided not to admit him.
Three days later he was taken by another ambulance to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
His lawyers said doctors found evidence of salmonella and he was taken to intensive care.
His condition continued to deteriorate and he died on August 12.
Public Health England launched an investigation and confirmed a second case of the same strain of salmonella in the West Midlands.
Mr Tavakoli, who worked in the catering industry and retail management for many years, was a much-loved husband and stepfather to his wife’s two children.
Mrs Tavakoli, who is hoping the inquest will provide ‘vital’ answers, said: ‘Niptoon was the most wonderful, loving and caring husband and stepdad we could have wished for. He was never happier [than] when spending time with his family or visiting antique centres and fairs.
‘He also loved studying coins and history. Seeing him so poorly and being powerless to help him was truly horrific.’
She added that he was a ‘ very good cook’ who had worked in catering for years.
After his death, sister-in-law Donna Martin said: ‘We just want to make people aware, if you buy duck eggs, please cook them thoroughly.’
She said she strongly believed the duck eggs were the source of his illness.
The British Lion Mark stamped on eggs to indicate they are safe to eat only applies to hen eggs – and not duck eggs.