2,000 children tested after kindergarten poisoning, hospitals overcrowded (video)

Earlier, it was reported that children in preschool institutions in the Piskent, Buka, Akkurgan, and Kuyi Chirchik districts of the Tashkent region were exposed to mass poisoning. As it turned out, a total of 1,922 children, including those who had been in contact with sick children, were tested. Of them, 959 were immediately sent home as they showed no clinical signs. This was reported by Nurmat Otabekov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health.

In addition, 269 children were discharged after receiving treatment. Currently, 694 children are undergoing treatment in hospitals across the Tashkent region.

According to experts, 13 of the hospitalized children are in moderately serious condition.

It was noted that today, September 27, a total of 421 children are scheduled to be discharged due to improvements in their condition.

More than 100 scientists, specialists, and professors from 17 specialized institutions in Tashkent have been involved to provide qualified assistance to the affected children.

According to the conclusion of the headquarters established under the ministry, the children were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. This disease is not classified as severe or life-threatening and typically resolves without complications.

It was also reported that the special headquarters is holding video conferences every three hours to discuss ongoing treatment and prevention measures in the cities and districts of the Tashkent region. Recommendations and instructions are being provided where necessary.

“The Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health is conducting epidemiological investigations on site. Laboratory tests of collected samples are ongoing. Additional information will be provided once results are available,” said Nurmat Otabekov.

It should be noted that following the incident, the Investigation Department under the Tashkent Regional Department of Internal Affairs initiated a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 257-1 of the Criminal Code (violation of sanitary legislation or rules for combating epidemics) and launched preliminary investigations.

According to preliminary findings, poor-quality dairy products may have caused the children’s health problems. It was determined that the 3.2 percent kefir supplied to preschool educational institutions on that day was produced at a workshop in the Akkurgan district.