Food poisoning cases rise in Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova, AzerNews Staff Writer
Food poisoning cases in Azerbaijan have been on the rise, official figures show.
From January to August 2012, 915 food poisoning cases, which affected 1,039 people, were recorded. 19 of them suffered of botulism, with no deaths reported, according to the country's center of hygiene and epidemiology.
The Republican Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology (RCGE) said 707 food poisoning cases involving 816 people were recorded in January-August 2011, when 36 people suffered of botulism, and one of them died.
"Hot weather is a suitable condition for multiplication of germs," said Imran Abdullayev, head of the RCGE's food hygiene department. "During the summer time food poisoning cases rise."
Most of the food poisoning cases -- approximately 570 -- were recorded this summer. 148 people suffered of food poisoning in June, while the peak was in July with 268 people affected. In August the number of food poisoning victims fell to 155.
The main reason for food contamination in the summer is the consumption of such products as tomatoes and watermelons.
To avoid food poisoning, one must simply follow hygiene rules at home and buy food in reliable catering outlets and grocery stores. Special attention should be paid to child nutrition.
One of the most serious cases of food poisoning is botulism, which is mostly caused in Azerbaijan by the use of home-made canned vegetables, Abdullayev said.