Health inspectors found Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli in cooks, kitchen equipment, and drinking water at the Tumar restaurant in Kandyagash, according to infohub.kz.
Sanitary officials have completed an epidemiological investigation into the mass poisoning at the Tumar restaurant in Kandyagash, Aktobe region, and have referred the materials to the police.
Laboratory tests showed that the source of contamination was the cooks themselves. They tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus. E. coli was found on kitchen surfaces, in prepared food, and in drinking water.
“The victims tested positive for staphylococcus and E. coli, indicating staphylococcal food toxic infection and acute intestinal infections,” said Zhanserik Kulmanov, deputy head of the Aktobe region’s sanitary and epidemiological control department.
Inspectors documented serious violations. Cooks prepared food without following procedures, food products lacked safety documents, no disinfection was carried out, and staff worked without mandatory medical check-ups. The case has been forwarded to police under Article 304 of the Criminal Code of Kazakhstan.
All victims have been discharged from hospitals. Earlier reports said that over 100 people sought medical help after visiting the Tumar restaurant. Guests had attended a funeral and a wedding held at the venue on two consecutive days. Those affected were diagnosed with intestinal infections and hospitalized in the Mugalzhar district hospital and the regional infectious diseases hospital in Aktobe. The restaurant was closed the same day. Those responsible face up to two years in prison.