A public health emergency has emerged in the Lviv region following a wave of acute intestinal infections among individuals who visited Zadorozhne Lake in the Stryi district. According to official reports from local authorities, 51 people have fallen ill, 46 of whom are children. The majority of those affected—49 patients—required hospitalization, underscoring the severity of the outbreak.
The Lviv Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital has taken the brunt of the influx, currently treating 35 patients, including 32 minors. Additional victims were admitted to healthcare facilities in the Stryi and Novyi Rozdil districts. The outbreak occurred in the vicinity of Drohovizh and Verbezh villages, prompting immediate intervention from sanitary and epidemiological services to identify the root cause of the contamination.
Preliminary findings suggest that improper water quality or sanitation practices at the recreational site may be the primary cause of the illness. Health officials are actively conducting laboratory tests on water samples and food products to confirm the source. While the investigation proceeds, local health departments have issued warnings urging residents to avoid swimming in unauthorized areas and to strictly adhere to hygiene guidelines when vacationing.
This incident is the latest in a series of food-related illnesses reported recently in western Ukraine, adding pressure to the regional healthcare system. Authorities emphasize that early symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and severe abdominal pain require immediate medical attention. The regional government is monitoring the situation closely and is expected to provide further updates as the diagnostic results become available. In the meantime, the public is advised to exercise extreme caution regarding water and food safety during the summer season.