Growing concern over watermelon poisoning in Tashkent

The reports have been circulating on social media claiming that cases of watermelon poisoning are increasing in Tashkent. The capital’s Sanitary and Epidemiological department has issued a statement regarding the situation.

It was stated that no urgent notifications have been received from the Infectious Diseases Hospital regarding consecutive cases of watermelon poisoning among the capital’s population so far. The reports claiming that watermelon poisoning cases are on the rise do not correspond to reality.

"We remind you not to purchase melons and gourds sold along roadsides without inspection, and to consume only products sold under proper conditions at authorized and reliable points of sale", the statement said.

It is worth noting that on August 16 of this year, reports circulated regarding the death of a 4-year-old child at Tashkent city Infectious diseases clinical hospital No. 4. It was revealed that three children in the family showed symptoms of repeated vomiting, diarrhea, and fever after consuming watermelon at home. All three were admitted to the aforementioned hospital. The father of the deceased child claimed that doctors had been negligent in treating his son. Despite urgent resuscitation measures, biological death was recorded. The diagnosis given to the child was: “Acute infectious intestinal disease, gastroenterocolitis type. Aspiration syndrome".

The child was sent to the Republican forensic medical examination, which issued a preliminary diagnosis: “other types of cardiopulmonary insufficiency, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis, presumably associated with A09 intestinal infection".

Currently, law enforcement authorities are investigating his death.