Authorities in a small Armenian town northeast of Yerevan are investigating what could be a mass poisoning incident related to a suspected tap water issue.

At least 300 people, all with similar gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, sought medical treatment in Byureghavan, a town of roughly 10,000 residents. Five of those affected required hospitalization, but their condition is currently satisfactory, according to healthcare authorities. 

The local urban outpatient clinic chief, Armen Vardumyan, told Armenpress that pursuant to standard protocols, they initiated emergency notifications and alerted all relevant healthcare agencies once patients started coming in.

“We have notified the relevant authorities in accordance with the law, and inspections are currently underway. In particular, water and samples from other possible sources are being collected to determine the cause,” said the director.

According to him, there are no definitive results yet, and investigations are ongoing. “At the moment, representatives from Veolia Water [the supply operator] are in the community, conducting sampling and inspections. Nothing has been detected so far,” he added.

The director noted that the health condition of the citizens who sought help is currently considered satisfactory, and no new cases with similar complaints have been reported. “The patients’ condition is normal, and the calls have stopped. We continue to await the results of the inspections and are following the established protocols,” Vardumyan emphasized.

He also pointed out that around 300 people were treated in his clinic, but there could be more affected individuals who sought treatment elsewhere.

The Ministry of Health informed Armenpress that the ambulance service received emergency calls reporting general weakness, vomiting, and fever. “An immediate epidemiological investigation and sampling have been conducted by specialists from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The process is ongoing, and we will announce the results once available. We have no severe cases,” the ministry said, adding that only five individuals required hospitalization and are currently in satisfactory condition. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Byureghavan City Hall advised residents to seek medical attention if they develop any gastrointestinal symptoms and indicated that the issue could be related to the water supply.

“In the presence of such symptoms, please be sure to consult a doctor, avoid using [tap] water as much as possible, or use it only after boiling,” the municipal administration said.