(Updated text) - 65 people are suspected of having been poisoned by food in Han i Elezit, in two pizzerias. The Director of Health in this Municipality, Kimete Kuka, said that samples have been taken by the Institute of Public Health together with the Health Inspectorate and that they are waiting for the results.
According to Kukë, the first cases presenting with symptoms of poisoning appeared on Monday at 16:00 PM, until the early hours of Tuesday morning. Three of them were sent to the University Clinical Center of Kosovo for treatment.
Currently, over 90 people with similar symptoms are being treated at the Family Medicine Center, but according to Kukë, this also includes cases of the virus.
"From 16:00 on 13.07.2026, the first suspected cases of poisoning have begun to appear. Most cases have begun to appear from 23:00 and have continued until 04:00 in the morning on 14:00. 65 people are currently receiving treatment. It is suspected that 65 is the number of people suspected of poisoning because in total there are over 90 people with symptoms similar to poisoning but who have the virus," Kuka told KOHĖN.
Meanwhile, according to the Kosovo Police spokesperson for the Ferizaj region, Kanun Veseli, over the past two days, around 80 people with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting have been treated.
This information, Veseli says, was received by the Main Center for Family Medicine in Han i Elezit.
"According to data received from the Main Family Medicine Center in Han i Elezit, from 13.07.2026 to 15.07.2026, about 80 people with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting were treated. The relevant institutions, including the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (NIPHK), have been notified of this situation, which are handling the case," said police spokesman Veseli.
In another response, Veseli announced that the state prosecutor was contacted and, by his order, the case "Production and placing on the market of harmful food items" was initiated.
As a result, two owners of two bars in the town of Hani-Elezit will be interviewed, in order to fully clarify the circumstances of the case.
The police, in coordination with the state prosecutor, are taking all necessary investigative actions.
AUVA: Laboratory results will determine the cause of the reported cases
The Food and Veterinary Agency (AUVA) has intensified official controls following reported cases of suspected poisoning of citizens in Pristina and Han i Elezit.
According to the AUVA announcement, veterinary inspectors have conducted emergency checks at both locations, inspecting hygiene and sanitary conditions, operators' self-control procedures, documentation, traceability of products and raw materials, as well as taking samples for microbiological laboratory analysis.
In Prishtina, samples of white sauce, milk and eggs were taken, while in Han i Elezit, a sample of mayonnaise was taken from the service facility. The samples were sent to the Food and Veterinary Laboratory, while the egg sample was sent to the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (NIPHK), in accordance with official procedures.
The AUVA announced that laboratory analyses are still in progress. After their completion and the review of all evidence collected during the inspections, the agency will publish the final report. If violations of legislation or a risk to public health are found, administrative and legal measures will be taken against the responsible operators.
The agency recalled that the primary responsibility for food safety lies with food business operators, who are obliged to respect legal requirements, place only safe products on the market, implement self-control systems, guarantee product traceability and ensure proper labeling.
The AUV also emphasized the importance of respecting food storage conditions and the cold chain, especially during high summer temperatures, when the risk of food spoilage increases.
The agency also called on citizens to check the labeling, expiration date, and storage conditions of products when purchasing, as well as to transport and store them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
According to the FVA, intensified controls will continue throughout the territory of Kosovo, while any violation of legal requirements will be dealt with in accordance with applicable legislation.
Ballazhi: 110 cases with symptoms of gastroenteritis in Han i Elezit
The Mayor of Hani i Elezit, Mehmet Ballazhi, has announced that he is closely monitoring the situation created after the appearance of cases with symptoms of gastroenteritis in this municipality.
According to Ballazh, from July 13 to the 15, 110 people with symptoms of gastroenteritis were treated at the QKMF, while only five of them were referred for further treatment to the Ferizaj Regional Hospital and the University Clinical Center of Kosovo.
He announced that during this period, around 300 venous therapies were administered to patients who sought medical assistance, emphasizing that the QKMF has sufficient therapies and materials to treat cases.
The Mayor of Hani i Elezit announced that the relevant samples have been taken and sent for analysis to the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (NIPHK), while the institutions are awaiting official results that will clarify the cause of the cases.
Ballazhi called on citizens not to believe speculation or unconfirmed information, emphasizing that any new information will be published by the responsible institutions.
He also appealed to citizens to respect basic hygiene rules, to take extra care during high temperatures and, in case of symptoms, to immediately report to the QKMF for medical assistance.