Byureghavan children treated for intestinal illness; is drinking water to blame?

Several children have been treated following an outbreak of intestinal illness in the Armenian town of Byureghavan, with health authorities investigating whether the cases are linked to the local drinking water supply. Officials say no severe cases have been reported.

Armenia's Ministry of Health said intestinal infection cases were identified in Byureghavan after the National Emergency Medical Service received 15 emergency calls overnight. Six patients were hospitalized, most of them experiencing fever, abdominal pain and general weakness. Doctors described the condition of those admitted as moderate and said they were receiving the necessary medical care.

In an interview with Panorama.am on Saturday, Dr. Sona Gevorgyan of Abovyan Medical Center said only three patients from Byureghavan sought treatment during her shift, which began at 9 a.m.

"The first child was brought in largely because of concern rather than severe symptoms," Gevorgyan said. The child complained of weakness but had normal vital signs and test results, with no fever, vomiting or nausea. After examination, the patient was discharged with medical advice and referred for follow-up with a family physician.

A second child from Byureghavan arrived with a low-grade fever and nausea. Gevorgyan said other members of the child's family had reported similar symptoms. After receiving intravenous fluids, the child's condition improved and the patient was discharged for outpatient follow-up.

The most serious case involved a child from the neighboring town of Nor Hachn, whose epidemiological history appears to be connected to the same outbreak.

"The child had weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever," Gevorgyan said. "The patient was admitted to the hospital, and the condition is considered moderate."

Authorities have not confirmed the source of the outbreak.

"It is too early to conclude that the illnesses were caused by the drinking water," Gevorgyan said. "However, because the cases are concentrated in the same area and several members of the same households have developed similar symptoms, a waterborne intestinal infection is among the possible explanations. Further testing will determine the source."