MOSCOW, October 24 (RIA Novosti) - A total of 42 children and three staff have been infected with salmonella since Monday at a kindergarten in the Amur Region in Russia's Far East, the consumer rights regulator announced.
"Of all those who have fallen ill, 31 people have been hospitalized," Rospotrebnadzor said in a press release on Wednesday.
The bacterium, common in raw or undercooked meat, eggs and dairy products, causes intestinal infection and diarrhea, sometimes leading to typhoid fever.
Preliminary reports said the outbreak was caused by inappropriate cooking methods in the kindergarten canteen.
The regulator also said the kindergarten had insufficient hot and cold water supplies for two days before the outbreak, and sanitary rules were not observed.
Admission to the kindergarten has been suspended while the sick children and staff receive treatment. An investigation into the outbreak is underway.
