After relatives of a 9-year-old child in intensive care with severe botulism appealed for help, specialists from Astana were sent to the Mangystau Region, infohub.kz reports.
"Our doctors are doing everything they can and consulting with Astana online. The family raised the issue of bringing in doctors from Astana. An infectious disease specialist and an intensive care physician will arrive on the next flight," said Nurdauler Kilybai, the region's akim.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that the boy's relatives had appealed to the akim and the leadership of the regional health department. They asked that national-level doctors be sent to Aktau, since the child had remained in serious condition for a fourth day.
"We believe the child needs full medical care and a consultation with highly qualified specialists," the appeal said.
Three adults and the 9-year-old child were hospitalized after a feast. The suspected cause of the poisoning was home-cured cold-smoked fish.
All the patients showed signs of severe botulism, were placed on ventilators and given anti-botulinum serum.
The patients' condition is still assessed as serious. The boy was admitted in a state of infectious-toxic shock and remains unconscious.
Specialists from the capital are now expected to examine the patients and, together with local doctors, determine the treatment strategy.
Read our Kursiv Health article on how to protect yourself from botulism and food poisoning.