More than 150 people fell ill from being poisoned in one day at the Border Guard Training Center in Kętrzyn, Poland. The sick developed vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, with 13 so acutely ill that they required hospitalization.
The first symptoms from the mystery poison appeared on Tuesday afternoon in trainees and employees, reports Salon24, citing information from RMF FM. Over 150 people quickly reported symptoms of poisoning.
None of those hospitalized are currently in danger. Their condition is stable, but the incident was treated very seriously due to the scale and potential source of infection.
The Sanitary Inspectorate and the medical services immediately took action. Water and food samples were taken and will now be tested in laboratories. One theory is that food had been contaminated with bacteria, perhaps salmonella poisoning.
The crisis team appointed by the local governor is also operating on-site to coordinate remedial actions and assess the risk of any further spread of the threat. The results of the tests from the collected samples will be announced on Thursday.
The Border Guard Training Center in Kętrzyn remains under special supervision of the sanitary inspection. According to its own announcement: “All officers reporting symptoms were provided with medical assistance. The situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis. The Commanders of the Warmia-Masuria Border Guard Branch and the Border Guard Training Center are present on site and have appointed a working team to analyze the situation and coordinate it.
“The sanitary and epidemiological services of the province and the district were also immediately notified, and their employees took food and water samples as well as samples for testing from the listeners. The infectious diseases department of the district hospital in Giżycko was dispatched, as well as the Polyclinic of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Olsztyn for any further needs.
“Tests are currently underway. The governor has appointed a crisis team, which includes representatives of provincial and district authorities, as well as uniformed and medical services. All (those) who reported symptoms resembling food poisoning were tested.
“By decision of the doctor, 13 officers were referred for further hospitalization. Based on tests taken for analysis from symptomatic individuals, salmonella bacteria were found,” it added.
