All Patients Hospitalized in Gyumri Infectious Diseases Hospital Discharged

All patients hospitalized in the Gyumri Infectious Diseases Hospital have been discharged and returned to the Tavush province, according to the Ministry of Health.

“Two more participants who had gone on an excursion in Shirak province were hospitalized on June 27 with the same complaints (nausea, vomiting, and weakness) at the ‘Noyemberyan Medical Center.’ Currently, three patients are receiving treatment at the Noyemberyan Medical Center, and their condition is assessed as mild. Medical monitoring of other residents continues.

Laboratory tests revealed the presence of golden staphylococci. Golden staphylococci, among other diseases, also cause food poisoning, which is attributed to the heat-stable toxin produced by the staphylococcus called enterotoxin. Food can become contaminated with staphylococci from a carrier or a person with pronounced skin disease. Inadequate thermal processing and storage of contaminated food at non-refrigerated conditions allows staphylococci to actively multiply and produce toxins.

Various food items can serve as a breeding ground for golden staphylococci, and notably, the taste and smell of the food do not change. Symptoms of the disease (nausea and vomiting) typically begin 2-8 hours after eating and may be accompanied by abdominal cramps and diarrhea. As a rule, symptoms last for about 12 hours.

To avoid food poisoning, it is essential to follow the rules for both food preparation (ensuring complete thermal processing) and storage (keeping only in refrigerated conditions and not for prolonged periods). People with skin diseases should not participate in food preparation. Moreover, it is necessary to avoid using perishable foods in hot weather, including dishes made with minced meat, sausages, cold cuts, and salads containing mushrooms, as well as cream-based pastries.