The entertainment centre that was closed following the poisoning of children in Mykolaiv is open again: results of the inspection

Happy Land children’s entertainment centre in Mykolaiv. Photo: kamon

The Happy Land entertainment centre in Mykolaiv resumed operations on 26 March. Preliminary findings from the epidemiological investigation are already available. The investigation was carried out after children who had visited the centre fell ill with an intestinal infection.

The preliminary findings of the investigation are outlined in a response from the Mykolaiv Regional Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to a request from NikVesti.

The centre noted that emergency reports of children falling ill with an intestinal infection linked to visits to Happy Land began to reach them on 17 March. At the site of the outbreak, specialists from the centre and the Main Directorate of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Mykolaiv Oblast carried out an inspection. And on 18 March — disinfection.

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It is noted that swabs were taken for Escherichia coli group bacteria and pathogenic enterobacteria, and the water was tested for bacteriological indicators.

In addition, 15 café employees were tested. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention states that their test results were negative. This also applies to other tests.

«The results of swabs for E. coli group bacteria from 19 March are all negative; for pathogenic enterobacteria from 21 March — all negative. The result of the water sample test for compliance with state sanitary standards regarding bacteriological indicators is compliant (with the standard, — note),» the centre reported.

They also note that the water test for viruses also showed a negative result.

«On 19 March, an additional sample of treated water was taken for testing for viral indicators. The result on 20 March was negative (no rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, adenovirus or enteroviruses detected). As of today, monitoring of the outbreak is still ongoing, and final conclusions regarding the results of the epidemiological investigation are still being drawn up,» the centre added.

Response to the request from ‘NikVesti’ regarding the inspection at Happy Land

Response to a request from “NikVesti” regarding an inspection at Happy Land

The Instagram page reported that the entertainment centre reopened on 26 March.

Information about the inspection at Happy Land. Screenshot from the venue’s page

Information about the inspection of Happy Land. Screenshot from the venue’s page

At the same time, the entertainment centre reported that it had also received official information regarding the results of sanitary and microbiological tests. According to their data, no abnormalities were detected, but a virus is suspected. Therefore, the management is asking parents to postpone visits to the centre if their children are unwell.

«Analysis of water, swabs from play mats, knives, crockery and other surfaces, as well as analysis of food products, confirms the absence of any E. coli or other bacteria, contrary to information circulating on social media. The preliminary conclusion is that norovirus is suspected. Unfortunately, no public space is immune to the spread of such viruses,» the entertainment centre reported.

It should be noted that seven children were admitted to hospital with acute intestinal infection. According to preliminary information from the prosecutor’s office, they had eaten chicken nuggets, pizza and burgers at the entertainment centre. Law enforcement agencies conducted an investigation.

Happy Land closed the premises until 22 March on its own initiative. Disinfection was carried out there.