Cases of Intestinal Infections Reported in Syunik and Lori Provinces

On January 28, information was received that patients with symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and vomiting were hospitalized in the infectious diseases department of the medical center in Sisian, Syunik Province, with a preliminary diagnosis of 'intestinal infection.'

Specialists from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia immediately took measures to identify the cause-and-effect relationship of the infection, examining both waterborne and foodborne factors as potential sources.

As a result of epidemiological investigations, it was revealed that the patients had consumed éclairs sold by the 'Zeytun' confectionery company in kilogram packages. On the same day, it was reported that similar patients were also hospitalized in the infectious diseases hospital in Vanadzor and the medical center in Stepanavan, with the latter also indicating the consumption of the aforementioned éclairs.

Information regarding these cases has been communicated to the Food Safety Inspection Authority, and joint measures have been taken. As a result of comprehensive actions taken, between January 27 and February 6, a total of 49 patients were identified and hospitalized in the Lori and Syunik provinces, with 41 in Lori and 8 in Syunik.

Currently, 33 victims are receiving treatment in medical institutions in Lori Province, while 8 are being treated in Syunik. The doctors assess the condition of the patients as satisfactory, and they are receiving necessary treatment with positive progress reported.

It is noteworthy that during the investigations, samples were taken from the patients, and the laboratory tests detected salmonella.