The possible cause of the hospitalization of more than 20 children, two of whom have died, from Elochka kindergarten in Abakan is an enterovirus, not meningococcal infection as stated earlier.
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Khakassian Children Have Chinese Bug?
The Prosecutor General’s investigative committee for Khakassia stated that one of the possible causes of the hospitalization of more than 20 children, two of whom have died, from Elochka kindergarten in Abakan is an enterovirus that originated in China, not meningococcal infection as stated earlier. Enteroviruses spread from the intestinal tract to the nervous system and are most frequently found in children. There are about 100 varieties of the virus.
“It is possible that the enterovirus was introduced with Chinese vegetables,” stated Svetlana Pavina, senior aide of the investigative group. “That theory is being developed and it is too early to draw any conclusions.” Enterovirus 71 has caused mass infections in China and killed a several dozen people there. There are 26 children hospitalized at the moment. A two-year-old girl died from the infection on June 1 and a three-year-old boy died on June 3.
Students and staff at Elochka are still under the observation of epidemiologists, since enteroviruses have a 5-10 day incubation period. Symptoms include malaise, fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, aversion to bright light and sometimes vomiting. The virus is spread in food and water, through contact with an enterovirus patient and through sharing household goods. The virus can also be airborne.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of June 05, 2008
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