Penza, 8 August 2014. PenzaNews. 17 people were hospitalized in Penza infectious department of the regional clinical center of specialized medical care since the beginning of this week with complaints of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, marked weakness and intermittent abdominal pain.

“All the diseased pointed to one and the same possible source of infection — shawarma bought in one of the shops of Penza,” the press service of the regional Ministry of Health told news agency “PenzaNews.”

The ministry clarified that the first group of poisoned customers turned to the hospital on Tuesday, August 5.

The Ministry of Health of the region noted that as of today, the general condition of the patients has improved.

“The specialists conduct laboratory tests to identify the pathogen of acute intestinal infection. Regional Rospotrebnadzor department representatives initiated an investigation against the shawarma businessman,” the press service commented.