Five children in Mykolaiv have tested positive for norovirus after being hospitalised following a visit to an entertainment venue

Five visitors to an entertainment venue in Mykolaiv have been diagnosed with norovirus. Illustrative photo: obozrevatel

In early May, six children were diagnosed with acute gastroenterocolitis after visiting an entertainment venue in Mykolaiv. Five of them were hospitalised. Test results confirmed they had norovirus.

This was reported by the State Institution «Mykolaiv Regional Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine» in response to an enquiry from NikVesti.

The centre noted that a total of six children aged between 3 and 17 sought medical assistance during the outbreak. Five were admitted for inpatient treatment and have since been discharged following their recovery.

Samples were taken from the patients and tested using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

«Test results identified norovirus in five children, which formed the basis for the final diagnosis of «Acute gastroenterocolitis caused by norovirus. Severe course». The most likely primary cause of the outbreak was a visit to an entertainment venue by infected individuals,» the centre reported.

Response to a query from NikVesti regarding the hospitalisation of visitors to an entertainment venue in Mykolaiv

As a reminder, as of 6 May, six cases of the illness had been recorded among children under the age of 17. The parents of one child refused hospitalisation and are treating the child on an outpatient basis.

It was also previously reported that in March, seven children were admitted to hospital with acute intestinal infection. According to preliminary information from the prosecutor’s office, they had eaten chicken nuggets, pizza and burgers at the entertainment centre. Law enforcement agencies conducted an investigation.

Happy Land closed the premises of its own accord until 22 March. Disinfection was carried out there. The leisure centre resumed operations on 26 March. Preliminary results of the investigation have been released.

In April, the parents of 11 children attending a nursery in Voznesensk took their children to hospital. They were diagnosed with gastroenterocolitis. The police launched an investigation.

Voznesensk City Council stated that the situation regarding the children’s acute intestinal infection had been stabilised. As of 28 April, all the young patients had been discharged from hospital in satisfactory condition.