Riga, March 23 (LETA) - The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) informed LETA that 106 cases of salmonellosis have been registered so far in two pre-school educational institutions in Riga.

As reported, two pre-school educational institutions in Riga with one caterer are suspected of having salmonellosis, and two children have been hospitalized.

CDC informed that the first symptoms of the disease appeared in the educational establishments on March 18, but the CDC received the information on March 19 and immediately started an epidemiological investigation.

Two children have been hospitalized and the rest are receiving outpatient treatment.

Several pre-school children from different pre-school institutions are currently being treated at the Children's Clinical University Hospital for symptoms of intestinal infections. Two of these children have confirmed salmonellosis, but their condition is not critical at the moment, LETA learned from the hospital earlier.

The CDC said that after preliminary tests, salmonellosis is suspected, but more precise information will be available after all laboratory tests next week.

According to the Delfi portal, cases have been detected at Spriditis day-care center, which is also confirmed by the CDC, but the center does not disclose the other educational establishment.

The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) explained to LETA that after receiving information from the CDC on Thursday, the service quickly carried out inspections both at the Spriditis pre-school and at the food preparation site at the pre-school educational institution No. 215 in Riga because the food at Spriditis pre-school is delivered from this institution and not prepared on site.

The results will be communicated to the CDC, which is conducting the epidemiological investigation.

At both institutions - Spriditis preschool and Riga Preschool No. 215 - catering services are provided by Fristar, company representatives confirmed to LETA.

Fristar board member Janis Meija told LETA that no cases of illness have been detected at other institutions where Fristar provides services. At the same time, he noted that meals are delivered daily from the food preparation facility at Riga Preschool No. 215 exclusively to Spriditis preschool.

Meija confirmed that in Riga, Fristar provides catering services to 16 schools and 14 kindergartens. The company also provides services in Jelgava, Valmiera, Adazi municipality, and Marupe municipality.

A company representative stated that the relevant authorities have not conducted inspections at other educational institutions, but Fristar, for its part, has strengthened its internal food safety and quality control processes to ensure once again that all the highest safety standards are being met.

The PVD told the LETA that the agency has temporarily suspended Fristar’s operations pending the investigation to clarify all circumstances of the incident. Meija clarified that, while the results of inspections conducted by the responsible authorities are being determined, the kitchen operations at Riga Preschool No. 215 have been temporarily restricted.

As the Riga City Council informed the LETA, the municipality has requested explanations from the food service provider to determine the possible causes of the illness.

It is essential for the municipality to ensure that the kindergarten environment is safe for all children, so special attention is being paid to identifying the source of the infection as quickly as possible.

At the same time, necessary safety measures are being implemented in preschool institutions, including enhanced disinfection of the premises.

Riga’s preschool institutions have received recommendations from the CDC regarding further action, and they have been instructed to maintain constant communication with parents, including on weekends, to promptly obtain information about any new cases of illness.

The municipality continues to monitor the situation, is in contact with CDC epidemiologists, and will decide on the implementation of additional safety measures in the institutions if necessary.

Information from Firmas.lv shows that Fristar had a turnover of EUR 8.993 million and a profit of EUR 936,947 in 2024. The company was registered in 2003, and its share capital is EUR 2,996. The company is owned by Janis Meijs (5.61 percent) and BR Group (94.39 percent), which in turn is owned by Guntis Bredovskis (30 percent), Aigars Kaugars (30 percent), Anita Gleide (30 percent), and Kristine Riemere (10 percent).