PRISTINA -- Kosovo's top infectious diseases specialists say health issues developed by several election officials who opened ballot boxes containing votes from Serbia after a October 6 snap poll were not caused by a contagious disease.
More than 20 Central Election Commission officials were taken to hospital with health problems after opening five ballot boxes from Serbia.
Local media reported that 26 had allergic reactions and skin problems after opening the ballot boxes. Emergency doctors said all had symptoms of itching and rashes.
The results of tests performed on samples from 12 of those who sought medical help showed that the irritations were not caused by contagious agents, said Lindita Berisha, the acting director of the Kosovo Infectious Clinic on October 15.
"Based on the results, the possibility of an infectious disease is excluded," Berisha said. "All laboratory tests from the Biochemical Institute are within normal values,” she said, adding that her clinic was only performing the analysis of infectious pathogens, while "other results are pending."
Asked about the causes of the rashes, Berisha said she could only talk about her field of expertise -- infectious diseases.
Naser Ramadani, the head of Kosovo's National Institute of Public Health, said the cause of the issue is still being investigated by forensics specialists.
"Other analyses outside the medical domain concerning the sources of poisoning are the responsibility of other relevant institutions, that is, forensics," Ramadani said.
All patients are feeling well and are expected to be out of hospital within the next day, health officials have said.
In general elections held on October 6, Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) defeated center-right political groupings formed by former Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) fighters who had governed since 2007.
Kosovo, a former Serbian province, declared independence in 2008, a decade after an insurrection by UCK fighters and Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic's bloody crackdown launched a 1998-99 war.
It has been recognized by more than 100 countries but not by Serbia.
Specialists: Contagious Disease Not The Cause Of Kosovo Election Officials' Illness
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Belarusian Prankster Dupes Russian Teachers Into Wearing Tinfoil Hats To Ward Off 'Foreign Enemies'
2UEFA To Rule After Kosovar Players Walk Off In Romania Amid Claims Of 'Racist' Chants
3How Does Marco Rubio, Trump's Pick For Secretary Of State, See The World?
4Ukraine Live Briefing: All-Out Assault On Kupyansk
5Russian Forces Reportedly Start All-Out Assault On Key Ukrainian City Of Kupyansk
6How The Caspian Sea Became A Battlefield
7Anti-War Russian Chef Found Dead In Belgrade
8Peace Talks Brewing, Russia And Ukraine Jockey For Advantage -- On And Off The Battlefield
9With U.S. Ties In The Balance, Kallas Seeks Bold EU Stance On Russia And China
10A 'Turn To The Right': Donald Trump And The Rise Of Populist Leaders
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
