In the Mangystau Region, three adults and one child have been hospitalized in intensive care with signs of botulism following a family gathering, infohub.kz reports.
According to Maral Kadyr, the chief freelance epidemiologist of the regional health department, three adult residents of Munaily District were taken to the regional multidisciplinary hospital. Another patient, a child aged 9 years and 10 months, was admitted to the infectious diseases department of the regional children's multidisciplinary hospital in the evening.
The suspected product is home-cooked cold-smoked fish. According to the epidemiologist, the fish had been stored in the refrigerator for a long time. All those affected consumed it during a family event on September 17 between approximately 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
The first symptoms appeared on the evening of September 18. The patients sought medical help on September 19.
"At home, the patients experienced repeated nausea and vomiting. After hospitalization, their condition was assessed as serious. The main symptoms include weakness, dizziness, difficulty swallowing and vision problems, throat irritation and dryness, blurred and double vision, as well as impaired consciousness," Maral Kadyr said.
All patients are in serious condition and connected to mechanical ventilators. They are receiving detoxification and symptomatic therapy. They have also been administered specific anti-botulinum serum.