An alarming outbreak of acute gastroenteritis has struck the Sverdlovsk Educational and Scientific Center (SUNTS) at UrFU, Ekaterinburg, causing numerous students to feel unwell and necessitating urgent medical attention. On March 11, 2025, around 16:00, students began exhibiting symptoms, with one student, Andrey, noting, "Nobody from my classmates seems to be infected. Honestly, it’s unknown what the affected students ate. We were served well at school, no complaints about the food." The situation escalated quickly, prompting evacuation of students living on campus.
By the morning of March 12, at least 31 individuals, including 30 students aged 16-18 and one adult, sought medical assistance. Of these, 20 students required hospitalization as medical teams from five emergency squads continued to respond on-site. The reports confirmed symptoms of fever, weakness, and nausea, with students being treated immediately upon experiencing these initial signs of infection. Students recalled having mashed potatoes and cutlets for dinner on March 11, indicating no noticeable change in the menu, even though the food supplier had changed recently.
This mass illness resulted in the institution shifting to distance learning as health officials began investigations to identify the outbreak's source. The public catering company responsible for feeding the students had recently faced thorough inspections, with Rospotrebnadzor reporting no violations found during two inspections conducted on February 11 and February 26 of this year. Despite having served students since January 1, 2025, the last recorded violation associated with this company dates back to 2021. Observations concerning the food quality have emerged, with complaints about smaller portions noted by students.
The health of the students has become a significant concern for the community, as many students described the unsettling circumstances akin to "zombie apocalypse," as Andrey humorously termed it, reflecting both the distressing nature of the situation and the relatively serious underlying health crisis. Beyond just physical symptoms, the psychological toll of such widespread illness among peers raised alarms within the student body and their families. Emergency evacuations ensured parents rushed to the campus to bring their children home.
Medical professionals are continuing their work to identify and treat those who fell ill. They have advised students and parents alike to remain vigilant as the official health authorities take the necessary steps to monitor the situation. The institution's management has been collaborating fully with health inspectors from Rospotrebnadzor as they investigate potential causes for the gastroenteritis outbreak. Statements from health officials have emphasized the importance of food safety, hygiene standards, and the necessity of addressing any public health concerns as quickly and effectively as possible.
Reports from affected students noted varying degrees of illness among peers, with many describing hospitalization experiences and treatment regimens. "By 11:00 PM, some people had already left. The peak occurred from 11:00 PM to 09:00 AM, during which more people were taken away," recounted another student, underlining the rapid escalation of medical interventions. While some students remain hospitalized and are treated under medical supervision, others have returned home with milder symptoms.
Reflecting upon the situation, it is clear this incident not only raises questions about meal quality and public health safety for students at SUNTS UrFU but also prompts broader discussions of health policies, emergency readiness among educational institutions, and accountability measures for food service providers. With over 196 contracts secured by the public catering service since 2014, questions linger about the safety protocols instituted and how public health organizations respond to complaints.
While the immediate health crisis appears to be under assessment, collective apprehension remains among students and parents. The potential for foodborne illnesses serves as a reminder of the fragility of food safety protocols, calling for rigorous adherence beyond inspections to prevent such outbreaks. Authorities are now tasked with unraveling the circumstances leading to this alarming public health episode.
Students and families continue to watch the developments with concern, hoping for clarity on the situation and for the health of those affected to improve swiftly as investigations continue to determine what led to this gastroenteritis outbreak. The institution and food service provider must now confront the urgent need to address the health concerns of the student body and restore confidence within the school community.