More than 240 children and 10 adults have developed gastrointestinal symptoms in connection with a suspected Salmonella outbreak at a school in Prague’s Újezd nad Lesy district.
Masaryk Elementary School, which has around 1,100 pupils, is being temporarily closed while health authorities investigate the source of the infection. The school’s kitchen and cafeteria will also undergo thorough disinfection.
Sign Up for our Newsletter
Prague news, events, tips, food & more
Salmonella has so far been confirmed by laboratory tests in four children, according to Petra Batok, a spokesperson for the Prague Public Health Authority. Officials are continuing to investigate how the infection entered the school.
The first cases were reported earlier this week. The largest number of illnesses has been recorded among upper-level pupils and children attending Montessori classes. Classes for those groups were cancelled on Wednesday, while all pupils have been given Thursday and Friday off.
Food samples taken from the school cafeteria have been sent for laboratory testing, with results expected on Friday.
The final number of people affected is not yet known. Health officials are collecting additional information through questionnaires completed by parents and adults who visited the cafeteria.
The Prague public health authorities have described the incident as an epidemic.
Prague emergency services have received 55 calls from people reporting gastrointestinal symptoms in connection with the outbreak.
Twenty patients were transported to hospitals for treatment, while another 24 were examined and treated without being admitted. The remaining people received medical advice by telephone.
Salmonellosis is usually contracted by consuming contaminated food. Common sources include eggs, insufficiently cooked meat, unpasteurized milk and foods containing raw or unpasteurized eggs. Symptoms generally appear between 13 and 36 hours after infection.
Promote your business to thousands of expats in Prague Find out how.
Partner Content
Would you like your story featured here? Get in touch with our team at [email protected]
