Chronicle of mass infected with rotavirus in Balashikha: causes and consequences

The incident occurred on the evening of October 7 at the Balashikhinsky Complex Center for Social Services and Rehabilitation, located in the village of Fedurnovo, Balashikha city district. Five children felt ill: they complained of abdominal pain and vomiting. All five were hospitalized in the infection department of the Balashikha hospital.

Later it turned out that the total number of victims is higher. The age of sick children is from 6 to 14 years. Their condition is estimated as medium severity. Preliminary diagnosis is rotavirus infection. Director of the center Olga Sadilova confirmed the hospitalization of five pupils with this diagnosis.

The Investigative Committee of Russia in the Moscow region opened a criminal case under part 1 of article 236 of the criminal code (“Violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules”). According to the investigation, the violation of sanitary standards by negligence led to the disease of children with rotavirus infection.

Investigators conduct interrogations of the management and staff of the institution, study service documentation. A detailed inspection of the scene with the participation of Rospotrebnadzor specialists is planned.

Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia Alexander Bastrykin instructed to submit a report on the progress of the investigation and the established circumstances. The execution of the order is put under control in the central office of the department.

In parallel, the Balashikha City Prosecutor's Office conducts its own inspection. The Agency will assess the actions of persons responsible for the organization of nutrition and compliance with sanitary and epidemiological standards. Rospotrebnadzor specialists have already selected samples for laboratory tests.

Official conclusions about the causes of the outbreak have not yet been made public - they are to be established during the investigation. However, on the basis of known data on the nature of rotavirus infection and the practice of such outbreaks in children's institutions, two most likely scenarios can be distinguished: food transmission and contact and household. In practice, rotavirus outbreaks in children's centers rarely have a single cause. Usually we are talking about a set of violations: insufficient control over the health of personnel, non-compliance with the disinfection regime and sanitary requirements at the food unit.

“Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe diarrhea with dehydration in young children,” notes pediatrician Viktor Mikhailov. In children, dehydration develops faster than in adults, and can lead to serious complications: seizures, brain damage, and in extreme cases, death. Fortunately, in this case we are talking about a state of moderate severity, and with timely medical care, the prognosis for most victims is favorable. However, two children and an adult refused to be hospitalized, posing a risk that their condition could worsen without medical supervision.”.

The criminal case under Article 236 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation assumes responsibility for violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules. If the guilt of specific officials is proven, they may face a fine of up to 100 thousand rubles, compulsory work or restriction of freedom. Separately, the prosecutor's office will assess the actions of those responsible for the organization of food - administrative measures are possible up to the suspension of the institution's activities.