Mass food poisoning reported among kindergarten children in Jizzakh

Dozens of children from several kindergartens in Jizzakh region were hospitalized this week after showing symptoms of food poisoning. Most have since recovered, while two remain under medical supervision.

Photo: Kun.uz

According to the Forish district administration, 37 children aged between 3 and 7 from kindergartens No. 1, 3, 5, and 7 sought medical help on 9 October between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. They complained of fever, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. Doctors diagnosed the children with “acute diarrhea” and provided inpatient treatment.

An epidemiological investigation revealed that the children had consumed bio-kefir, cheese, and butter at their kindergartens a day earlier, on 8 October. Preliminary findings by the Jizzakh regional Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health suggest that the outbreak was caused by violations of food transportation, storage, and processing standards.

The Forish district prosecutor’s office has launched a criminal investigation under Article 205 (abuse of power or official authority) of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code. The investigation is ongoing.

The Ministry of Health later confirmed that all affected children were in stable condition. “At present, only two children remain under observation for preventive purposes, and their health poses no cause for concern,” the ministry said in a statement.

Experts have collected food and water samples for laboratory testing to determine the exact cause of the incident, which is presumed to be food-related. The ministry urged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information, assuring that the situation is fully under control.

The incident follows a similar case earlier this year in Tashkent region, where nearly 2,000 children were examined for suspected food poisoning, and 963 were diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis. Seven people were later arrested in connection with that case.