Nosocomial infection found in Martuni medical center

YEREVAN, June 16. /ARKA/. Armenian health officials have found nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infection at a medical center in the town of Martuni in Gegharkunik province, the press service of the Ministry of Health reported.

Earlier, on June 12-13, 14 people (13 children aged 1-4 years and 1 adult) with symptoms of intestinal infection (weakness, vomiting, diarrhea) were taken from the Martuni medical center to the National Center for Infectious Diseases in Yerevan.

On June 13, 2 more patients with similar symptoms were revealed who are having treatment at their homes.

The patients were admitted from the Martuni medical center with diagnoses of obstructive bronchitis and bronchopneumonia, but the latter showed symptoms of intestinal infection, which indicates a nosocomial infection.

As of June 16, out of 14 patients hospitalized at the National Center, three were discharged, 11 remain in the hospital.

Water samples, samples for E. coli bacteria and pathogenic microflora, as well as samples for staphylococcal and bacteriological samples were taken from the Martuni medical center.

Bacteriological samples were also taken from children and caregivers.

As a result of studies, patients were found to have Clostridium difficile toxin and antibodies of the pathogen. As a result of PCR studies for the detection of viral intestinal infections noroviruses were also found.

In connection with the discovery of a nosocomial infection, a study was carried out for the introduction of a sanitary and epidemiological regime at the medical center as well as infection control processes. -0-