Georgia’s Finance Ministry Investigation Service has launched an investigation after 55 children and one educator from 20 public kindergartens in Tbilisi showed signs of intoxication, saying the cases “may be related to a bacterial infection” presumably linked to food consumed at the kindergartens.
The investigation comes amid reports that at least some of the affected children were hospitalized after developing symptoms such as fever, nausea, and vomiting, with doctors yet to establish the exact diagnosis, and that several kindergartens were temporarily closed.
The investigation is being conducted under Article 198, Part 2 of the Criminal Code, which concerns “the manufacturing and sale of products hazardous to human life or health that have endangered human life or health.” Tbilisi Kindergarten Management Agency, a public body run by Tbilisi City Hall, separately said the educational process has been suspended at seven public kindergartens as a precaution against epidemiological risks
According to the Investigation Service, those affected include 55 children and 1 educator from the capital’s 20 kindergartens who sought medical assistance at six medical facilities. More than 50 legal representatives of the children, as well as employees of medical facilities, have already been interviewed.
“Based on the information available at this stage, the intoxication may be related to a bacterial infection, the source of which is presumably food products consumed at the kindergartens,” the Investigation Service said. “The exact product that caused the intoxication will be determined based on the results of the relevant examination.”
The agency added that “investigative and procedural activities, including searches, were intensively carried out throughout the night at 4 kindergartens and 3 companies supplying food products to kindergartens.” It noted that the searches were done in cooperation with relevant units of the Interior Ministry and the National Food Agency.
The agency said important items, documents, and food products will be seized from all kindergartens where cases of intoxication were recorded, and the public will be provided with additional information accordingly.
Separately, Tbilisi Kindergarten Management Agency said children at several public kindergartens had developed fever, nausea, and vomiting and had sought treatment at “various clinics.”
“Based on the recommendation of epidemiologists” and in accordance with the law, the agency said it had suspended the educational process at seven public kindergartens as “a precaution against epidemiological risks.” The remaining 183 kindergartens continue to operate normally, it said.
The agency added that it is taking “all necessary measures” in cooperation with the Tbilisi Epidemiological Surveillance Service, the National Food Agency, the Finance Ministry’s Investigation Service and the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.
Maia Chkhaidze, Medical Director of Tsitsishvili Children’s Clinic, told local media that 16 children from public kindergartens had been admitted to the clinic on September 17.
According to Chkhaidze, vomiting began in the evening, with some patients experiencing diarrhea while others did not. None had a fever, and all were from public kindergartens.
“None of the patients required resuscitation or intensive care,” she added. “However, to clarify the diagnosis, whether we are dealing with food intoxication or gastroenteritis caused by some other factor, the appropriate tests need to be carried out.”
According to Chkhaidze, the testing will be conducted by the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health.
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