Gyumri, May 18 – Two children have been discharged from the infectious diseases department of the Gyumri Medical Center, following the hospitalization of fifteen children from the ‘Our Lady of Armenia’ benevolent center on May 14. The remaining thirteen children are awaiting further test results before discharge, according to Armen Khachatryan, Deputy Director of the Gyumri Medical Center.
Mass Hospitalization Details
The incident occurred on May 14, when 15 pupils from the ‘Our Lady of Armenia’ center were admitted to the Gyumri Medical Center. Their symptoms included vomiting, abdominal pain, and high fever. Specialists from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Armenia conducted an epidemiological investigation, including sampling and laboratory tests, to determine the cause of the illness.
Initial Findings and Ongoing Monitoring
Preliminary tests have indicated the presence of salmonella. “Two people were discharged today – the first ones to arrive. In the case of the others, we are waiting for repeated bacterial analyses tomorrow, so that the analyses come back clean, and then we will send them home. Salmonella was initially isolated, and now the children are doing well; we are waiting for the repeated results to be available before discharging them,” stated Khachatryan in an interview with Pastinfo.
Previous Incidents and Public Health Concerns
This incident follows other recent public health concerns in the region. Earlier reports from Pastinfo mentioned that residents of Byureghavan continue to avoid using tap water until its safety is officially confirmed. There were also reports of an emergency situation in Byureghavan where residents experienced nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and high fever, leading to numerous hospitalizations. The number of cases of intestinal infection in Byureghavan had decreased, with only three calls recorded after 27 hospitalizations the previous day.
The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention had previously stated that 15 children from the ‘Our Lady of Armenia’ center were hospitalized with similar symptoms. These events underscore the importance of ongoing public health surveillance and rapid response to potential outbreaks.
Community Impact and Future Actions
The ‘Our Lady of Armenia’ benevolent center provides care for children, and the health of its residents is of paramount importance. The swift action of medical professionals and public health authorities in Gyumri and Shirak Province has been crucial in managing this situation.
Authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the complete recovery of all affected children and to implement any necessary preventative measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. The public is advised to stay informed through official channels regarding any further developments or public health advisories.
Source: https://pastinfo.am/hy/news/2026/05/18/23333/1968650
