Children Poisoned in Warsaw After Eating Unknown Berries at After-School Club

Five children aged 5-6 fell ill after eating unknown berries from a bush in a Warsaw after-school club garden on Wednesday, prompting a response from emergency services and police.

Incident at the After-School Club

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 12, before 2:00 PM at a children’s after-school club on Farbiarska Street in Warsaw. According to reports from Miejski Reporter, semi-open holiday activities were taking place there with a group of ten children participating. Five of them, aged 5-6, spent time in the garden area where a bush with berry-like fruits was growing.

Symptoms and Emergency Response

The children ate the fruits and began feeling unwell shortly afterward, with diarrhea being the main symptom reported by Miejski Reporter. Two children experienced more severe symptoms, worrying the supervisors, while the other three had a milder course, leading the women to call emergency services. Rescuers transported the two children with serious ailments to the hospital, where their lives are not in danger, while the parents of the others decided they would remain at the facility.

Police Investigation and Sobriety Checks

The police also handled the case, checking the supervisors for sobriety to confirm they were not under the influence of alcohol. Officers are working to establish the precise circumstances of the event.

Risks of Poisonous Plants and Berries

The Poviat Sanitary-Epidemiological Station in Oleśnica stated that some poisonous plant fruits look like edible aronia or wild berries despite not being them. They can contain toxic chemical compounds that cause skin irritation, nervous system issues, vomiting, and abdominal pain upon contact.

The sanitary inspectorate emphasized that poisonings usually occur accidentally, with children most frequently being the victims due to their curiosity leading them to pick and eat colorful fruits, seeds, and flowers. Dangerous plants include mezereon, common snowberry, European privet, and deadly nightshade.

What to Do in Case of Poisoning

In case of suspected poisoning, individuals should immediately call 112 or take the patient to the hospital emergency department. Medical charcoal can also be helpful in this situation as it binds many substances, including most drugs, fungicides, and herbicides, potentially reducing the amount of toxic substance entering the body, though its administration should be consulted with a paramedic or doctor.