The number of hospitalized cafe patrons in Pyatigorsk has risen to 41.

Forty-one of the 50 people who sought medical attention for food poisoning symptoms after visiting a cafe in Pyatigorsk have already been sent to hospital. Markers of the bacteria that cause salmonellosis were found in the victims.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," nine Pyatigorsk residents were hospitalized with an acute intestinal infection on May 30. All of them had visited the same cafe, which has been closed. By the evening of May 31, the number of hospitalized people had risen to 34.

50 people sought medical attention

The number of people who sought medical attention after the poisoning in a cafe in Pyatigorsk has risen to 50, a representative of the Stavropol Territory Ministry of Health reported today.

41 are receiving inpatient treatment, nine are receiving outpatient treatment.

"50 patients sought help: 41 are receiving "One person received inpatient treatment, and nine received outpatient treatment," Interfax quoted him as saying.

According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, as of May 31, the total number of victims was 36, of whom 31 were hospitalized, including two children, aged 14 and five. "Five people refused hospitalization and were sent for outpatient treatment," according to a publication on the website of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Stavropol.

Salmonella markers found in patients

An epidemiological investigation has been launched in connection with the mass poisoning of Pyatigorsk residents, the regional office of Rospotrebnadzor reported on its Telegram channel on May 31.

"Based on the results of an etiological analysis using molecular genetic methods, nine patients were found to have salmonella markers at the Pyatigorsk branch of the Federal Budgetary Institution of Healthcare "Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Stavropol Krai." The cafe's operations have been suspended, and testing measures are being carried out, including the collection of samples for laboratory testing," the publication states.

A few dozen bacteria are enough to cause salmonellosis

Salmonella bacteria (Salmonella) cause salmonellosis, a disease that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract with symptoms of general intoxication and dehydration. Salmonella can persist in food for long periods. Salting and smoking do not completely kill salmonella, according to the website of the Federal Budgetary Institution of Healthcare "Center for Hygienic Education of the Population" of Rospotrebnadzor.

The proliferation of salmonella in food products does not lead to changes in appearance, taste, or odor.

"The main route of transmission of salmonellosis is food, less commonly waterborne (during swimming in bodies of water), and contact-household (during close contact with an infected person). The disease primarily occurs due to the consumption of food products of animal and plant origin. [...] Intensive proliferation of salmonella in food products does not lead to changes in appearance, taste, or odor," the agency reported.

The greatest danger comes from foods and dishes that are not or insufficiently cooked (for example, rare steaks, raw and soft-boiled eggs, Fried eggs), as well as those stored for a long time at room temperature. However, symptoms of the disease do not appear immediately and may develop after several days.

"The infectious dose for the development of the disease is very small. There are isolated cases of salmonellosis and even outbreaks where the infectious dose did not exceed several dozen bacteria," the publication notes.