TBILISI, September 18 – Georgian authorities have opened an investigation after dozens of children and one staff member showed signs of intoxication at public kindergartens across Tbilisi.
The city’s Nursery and Kindergarten Management Agency said Friday morning that educational activities had been suspended at seven public kindergartens as a precaution, while another 183 continued operating. Children had developed fever, nausea and vomiting, prompting some parents to seek medical help.
Later Friday, investigators said symptoms had been reported among 55 children and one educator at 20 kindergartens. They received medical assistance at six clinics. More than 50 parents or legal guardians, as well as medical staff, had already been questioned.
Authorities said the outbreak may be linked to a bacterial infection, with food served at the kindergartens considered a possible source. They stressed that the specific product responsible had not yet been identified and would be determined through laboratory testing. Food, documents and other material were being collected from the affected facilities as part of the investigation.
While investigators are searching for the cause of the outbreak, parents have spoken to local media about their theories of why the children fell ill. A parent from Kindergarten No. 182 told Interpressnews she suspected milk after her child developed vomiting, abdominal pain and a high fever. Parents from Kindergarten No. 124 said they suspected meat patties.
By Friday afternoon, the city agency identified the seven kindergartens where activities had been suspended as Nos. 49, 22, 109, 124, 10, 31 and 59. The National Food Agency also opened its own inquiry.
Infectious disease specialist Maia Butsashvili cautioned against drawing early conclusions. She said similar outbreaks can be caused by food-borne toxins, bacterial infections, viruses or parasites and called for rapid collection of leftover food samples from both kindergartens and central suppliers. She also said health officials should check whether similar symptoms were appearing among people outside the kindergarten system.
Even though authorities have not established the cause of the outbreak yet, opposition politicians were quick to point the finger at the ruling team. Irakli Kupradze of Lelo blamed mismanagement and alleged corruption, while Ani Kvatadze of the Coalition for Change also accused Georgian Dream of failing to ensure proper food safety controls.
