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Poor food quality caused salmonellosis outbreak in kindergartens

Salmonella infection was caused by numerous violations in the organisation of catering services

VLADIVOSTOK, January 31 (Itar-Tass) — Salmonella infection in children of the Primorsky Territory of Russia was caused by numerous violations in the organisation of catering services in the Kolosok kindergarten in the town of Dalnegorsk. The Russian Federal Consumer Rights Protection and Human Health Control Service’s (Rospotrebnadzor) department for the Primorsky Territory told Itar-Tass that the epidemiological investigation found out that the technology of food preparation, temperature of food products storage, purification of dishware and kitchen utensils as well as the schedule of medical examination of employees were violated.

The infection source was also identified. Experts found out that the infected children and adults tried low-quality minced collops.

According to prosecutors, 30 people, including two adults and 28 children of preschool educational institutions, sought medical aid in the period from January 25 to 30 in Dalnegorsk. They had symptoms of acute intestinal infection. Twenty-seven children are from the Kolosok kindergarten and one child from another preschool institution who was in contact with the sick adult. In 9 cases doctors confirmed the salmonellosis diagnosis. Six children were hospitalised, doctors says their condition is satisfactory.

Unscheduled medical examination of children in all of town's children institutions was conducted earlier by the decision of the disaster management commission under the head of the Dalnegorsk municipal district. The local hospital provided additional 20 beds for the reception of patients in case infection spreads.

A pre-investigation check is conducted over the infection outbreak. In addition to the infection causes, the investigators intend to legally assess actions of officials who tried to hide from the law enforcement authorities the fact of children's mass poisoning.