Cases of Gastrointestinal Infectious Diseases Reported in Kindergartens: Warning

The Ministry of Health reports that on June 8 and 9, 11 children from a private kindergarten in Yerevan were admitted to the National Center for Infectious Diseases with a diagnosis of 'Acute Gastroenteritis' (vomiting, nausea, fever). Five of these children were discharged in satisfactory condition on the same day. An additional 8 children from another kindergarten were admitted today with the same diagnosis.

Furthermore, three children with the same symptoms, unrelated to any kindergarten, were also admitted to the National Center for Infectious Diseases from the same household.

As of June 9, 11 children from one of the kindergartens are receiving inpatient treatment at Vayk Medical Center for gastrointestinal infection symptoms with mild progression, while five others are being treated on an outpatient basis.

Currently, an epidemiological investigation is underway in kindergartens, and sample collections have been conducted for laboratory investigations. The efforts are being carried out in cooperation with the Food Safety Inspection Authority.

Considering that cases of gastrointestinal infectious diseases continue to be reported across the republic, the Ministry of Health once again urges the public to:

• Wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet,
• Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables with running water before consumption,
• Store food in sealed containers to avoid contamination,
• Keep perishable food in the refrigerator,
• Avoid purchasing food from unregulated locations,
• Do not use questionable water. If there have been interruptions or accidents in the drinking water supply in your area, use water only after boiling it or drink bottled water,
• If you experience symptoms of gastrointestinal infectious diseases (fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, general weakness, etc.), seek medical attention immediately,
• Use tap water only after letting it run for 10-15 minutes,
• Avoid swimming in unregulated water bodies such as reservoirs, irrigation channels, and decorative pools, as they may contain pathogens of gastrointestinal infections.