Danger instead of rest: more than two dozen children hospitalized after poisoning at a camp in Slavske
During the full-scale war, many Ukrainian children undergo psychological rehabilitation or rehabilitation in camps both in Ukraine and abroad. Many are sent on vacation as part of humanitarian or charitable initiatives. In a situation where children have experienced the loss of loved ones, evacuation, living in shelters, anxiety and instability, such camps are meant to be a safe environment for emotional recovery. However, the event that happened in the Lviv region shows that even in such a seemingly protected space, serious threats to health and safety can arise.
On August 4, 2025, children from the camp, located in the village of Slavsko, Stryi district, Lviv region, were urgently hospitalized in Stryi, Drohobych, Lviv, and Skole hospitals. In just a few hours, at least 25 children with symptoms of acute poisoning ended up in medical institutions. Many had nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. According to official information, the condition of those hospitalized is considered to be of medium severity.
About this case reported Director General of the Lviv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Nataliya Ivanchenko-Timko. She confirmed that the incident happened at a children’s camp and that an emergency response team was currently on the scene. It is not yet known what exactly caused the poisoning. Journalists clarified that it is a camp called “Friendly Camp”.
The children’s first symptoms appeared at night — this was reported in particular by the doctors of the Stryi city hospital, where 17 children were rushed to. The rest were placed in Skole, Drohobych and Lviv hospitals. The age of the victims is from 9 to 12 years. A total of 130 children from different regions of Ukraine were in the camp at that time.
The preliminary diagnosis established by doctors is an acute intestinal infection. As reported by the prosecutor’s office, criminal proceedings have been opened in accordance with part 1 of Article 325 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — violation of sanitary rules and regulations regarding the prevention of infectious diseases and mass poisoning. The sanction of the article provides up to three years of imprisonment.
As of the morning of August 5, it is known that the camp’s canteen, kitchen, dining room and pantry were sealed in order to ensure investigative actions. On-site inspections and laboratory tests are ongoing with the participation of the State Consumer Service of the Lviv region. According to representatives of the prosecutor’s office, the case is under the personal control of the management.
This case acutely actualizes the issue of compliance with sanitary standards in institutions that receive children in the summer. It is not only about health, but also about elementary safety — from nutrition to medical support. The camps, which are often positioned as humanitarian or charitable, must meet the highest security standards, but this is not always the case.
