GOSPIC: SALMONELLA SUSPECTED WITH ILL BECHTEL WORKERS

GOSPIC, May 30 (Hina) - All 16 Bechtel construction workers who were kept at the Gospic hospital after food poisoning are not in life danger. The cause of the epidemic will be known of Friday, following bacteriological tests. It is suspected the infection was caused by salmonella. #L# According to the latest information, 60 people sought medical assistance at the Gospic hospital for high temperature, fever, and digestive complications. Sixteen of the more serious cases were kept at the hospital for treatment. In the last 12 hours nobody new reported to the hospital with these symptoms, Dr. Ivan Sesar said earlier on Thursday. The epidemiology section of the Lika-Senj County's Public Health Institute is on duty around the clock and today monitors a Bechtel camp near Gospic. "Even though we cannot be 100 percent sure as to the real agent, microbiological analyses conducted thus far point to salmonella," said Dr. Drazen Jurkovic, the head of the Lika-Senj County's Public Health Institute. In keeping with anti-epidemic measures, it has been suggested the mess at the Bechtel camp near Gospic be closed down as it does not meet minimal technical criteria. The personnel in charge of preparing food is being subjected to a medical check-up as the majority do not meet sanitary/health requirements, said Jurkovic. (hina) ha sb