Four employees at Uppsala's Akademiska sjukhuset pediatric unit have fallen acutely ill with similar symptoms. Police are investigating the cases as attempted murders via poisoning with extremely high levels of caffeine powder in water bottles. The prosecutor confirms suspicion of poisoning but declines to comment on details.
On the pediatric intensive care unit 95E at Akademiska sjukhuset in Uppsala, the first employee fell ill on October 25 with acute symptoms. Three more employees were affected on November 3, prompting police to launch a preliminary investigation into attempted murder. All four exhibited hypokalemia, a condition with critically low potassium levels in the blood, requiring intensive care.
According to police theory, based on sources to Aftonbladet, someone spiked the victims' water bottles with "extremely high" levels of caffeine powder. The symptoms indicate intake far exceeding what is possible from regular coffee or energy drink consumption. The affected employees deny ingesting caffeine powder themselves. Possible causes of hypokalemia include diuretics or high caffeine intake, per medical reports.
Prosecutor Emma Häggström, leading the investigation, confirms suspicion of poisoning and states resources are substantial. "We are still awaiting analysis results," she tells Expressen. Häggström declines to comment on specific theories: "I cannot go into details of the case." No one is detained or suspected at present, and none of the victims are currently hospitalized. Police have conducted several interviews.
The department sees many people, including nurses, doctors, aides, dietitians, play therapists, and hospital clowns, as well as parents. Earlier reports of a fifth illness have been denied by the prosecutor. Chemist Olle Matsson describes it as "very unlikely" to be natural causes. The investigation continues without a known motive.
