More than 1,000 preschoolers in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent region were hospitalized last week due to kefir poisoning.
Mass food poisoning in Uzbekistan
Last week, over 1,000 preschoolers in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent region were hospitalized due to kefir poisoning. The total number of affected children is 1,400, according to portal nova24.uz. Nurmat Atabekov from the Sanitary-Epidemiological and Public Health Committee at the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan stated that 38 children remained in hospitals in the Tashkent region as of Monday, September 29. No severe cases were reported. “Currently, none of the treated children are seriously or critically ill, and the situation is fully under the control of doctors,” authorities said.
Investigation launched
A criminal investigation has been initiated to determine whether sanitary regulations or epidemic control measures were violated. The General Prosecutor’s Office has formed a special team to investigate the mass poisoning. “Seven people have been arrested, including three from the dairy production facility and four from catering companies serving preschools,” reported the Uzbek portal gazeta.uz. The press service of the Children’s Rights Ombudsman issued a statement emphasizing the need to strengthen oversight of the food sector in schools and preschools. They noted that corruption risks should be minimized by reducing human involvement in food service contracts for children.
Girl complains of headache after preschool
According to a local news outlet, one mother reported that her daughter complained of a headache after returning from preschool. Initially, the parents thought it was a cold and treated her at home. However, her condition worsened—she became visibly weak, lost her appetite, and experienced stomach and head pain. Her temperature rose overnight, prompting her parents to take her to the hospital. “There were many children in similar or worse condition. My daughter vomited and was severely dehydrated. She was given an IV, and treatment continues, but she still has diarrhea, is weak, and has no appetite,” the mother said.
