Los Padres National Forest Food Poisoning Fatality 1953

Antonio Alavos Casique, a Michoacan, Mexico, resident enrolled in the Bracero Program to work temporarily in the United States, was sickened and passed away from apparent food poisoning from canned food at fire camp. Casique and two other firefighters were taken from camp to the hospital in Santa Maria, California, to treat a sudden-onset illness. Casique passed away in the hospital, while his two colleagues recovered. Casique was one of 125 Bracero Program firefighters assigned to fight fire east of Santa Maria, California, on the Los Padres National Forest. 

In response to the food poisoning incident, the Forest Service Regional Office ordered all cans of chicken removed from firefighter rations in the region. A shipment of serum for treating botulism was also sent to the hospital in Santa Maria to treat any further case of food poisoning. 

Medical or Exertion or Heat, Fatality, Medical Emergency