Three children showing symptoms of food poisoning have been admitted to the Tsitsishvili New Children’s Clinic in Tbilisi. The incident is believed to be linked to cases of intoxication reported across the city’s kindergartens.
According to the clinic’s medical director, Maia Chkhiadze, a total of 17 patients have been admitted to the facility, nine of whom have already been discharged home. At this stage, eight children remain under treatment for suspected kindergarten-related poisoning.
The Investigation Service has launched an inquiry into the mass intoxication incident after signs of poisoning were detected in 55 children and one educator across 20 kindergartens and nurseries in Tbilisi. Medical care was provided to them at six clinics. According to the agency, investigators have already questioned more than 50 legal guardians of the children as well as medical staff members.
“According to information available at this stage, the intoxication may be linked to a bacterial infection, the suspected source of which was food products consumed in the kindergartens. Relevant forensic examinations will determine which specific product caused the intoxication. The investigation is ongoing. Items, documents, and food samples essential to the case will be seized from all kindergartens where poisoning cases were recorded,” the statement read.