A dangerous intestinal infection is spreading in the Odesa region
In the Odesa region, the number of cases of acute intestinal infections has risen sharply over the past week. Doctors say the main causes are improper storage of home-cooked food in the heat and failure to follow hygiene rules when swimming in bodies of water. Children are the most affected.
In total, 282 cases of acute intestinal infections were reported in the region over the past week. This is 15.6% more than the previous week, according to the Odesa Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Experts explain that hot weather creates ideal conditions for the rapid proliferation of dangerous bacteria. That is why even everyday home-cooked meals can become hazardous if stored improperly. “The main risk factors were home-cooked meals that were stored improperly and a failure to follow hygiene rules while swimming in open bodies of water,” the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
Children account for the largest share of those who fell ill. Of the 282 reported cases, 193 involved children. This represents nearly 68% of the total number of patients. Infections were most commonly detected in children aged one to four years—accounting for 38% of all pediatric cases. Another 30% of cases were recorded among children aged five to nine years.
Among adults, doctors recorded 89 cases. However, in this age group, the incidence rate actually decreased by approximately 6%. Separately, medical professionals emphasized that all patients were tested for cholera. “All 282 patients with intestinal disorders were tested for cholera—the results were negative. No cholera pathogen was detected in environmental samples—including seawater, freshwater, and wastewater—or in food products,” the specialists noted.
At the same time, the epidemiological situation regarding seasonal respiratory illnesses in the region remains stable. According to medical officials, the incidence rate of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), influenza, and COVID-19 is currently 77.4% below the epidemic threshold. During virological monitoring, only non-influenza viruses are being detected. Doctors are urging residents of the region to be especially careful this summer. Before consumption, vegetables, fruits, and berries should be washed thoroughly; prepared meals should not be left out of the refrigerator for long periods; food should not be purchased at unregulated markets; and people should avoid swallowing water while swimming in the sea or other bodies of water.
Medical professionals remind the public that the risk of intestinal infections increases significantly in hot weather, but most cases can be prevented by following simple rules of hygiene and food safety. This information was provided by specialists at the Odesa Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
On the coast of the Odesa region near Pivdenne, the body of 10-year-old Sofia was found; she had gone missing in mid-June after being swept out to sea by a current. The search operation lasted nearly three weeks.
