20 Children Hospitalized from Kindergartens in Yerevan, Ministry of Health Reports

The Ministry of Health reports that bacteria causing intestinal infections have been detected in preschool organizations in Yerevan due to outbreaks of gastrointestinal infectious diseases.

It is reminded that from June 8 to 9, outbreaks of gastrointestinal infectious diseases linked to food factors were recorded at the "Winnie the Pooh and Friends" and "Rainbow" preschool educational organizations.

During this period, 20 children with a diagnosis of "Acute Gastroenteritis" exhibiting fever of 38-39 degrees, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea symptoms were admitted to medical facilities providing assistance in Yerevan from the "Winnie the Pooh and Friends" and "Rainbow" kindergartens.

An epidemiological investigation revealed two family clusters (one cluster with one case and another with three cases), where the patients displayed similar symptoms and, like the hospitalized preschool patients, consumed dairy products from the "Biokat" brand.

Among the hospitalized patients, six tested positive for golden staphylococcus. Laboratory tests carried out in the preschool organizations revealed the presence of bacteria from the intestinal stick group in environmental samples, and staphylococcus in the staff's samples.

Samples of food underwent toxicological examination which indicated a mild toxic effect (dairy products including curd, sour cream, and a mixture of curd and sour cream from the "Biokat" brand). Currently, there are no patients receiving treatment.

As part of the epidemiological investigation, laboratory studies of biological samples from the environment and staff at the production facility of “Biokat” dairy company were also conducted. As a result, discrepancies were found in environmental samples, while pathogenic staphylococcus was detected in samples from the hands and outer clothing of the staff.

It should be noted that relevant information regarding the cases has been forwarded to the Food Safety Inspectorate.