Four nurses at Akademiska children's hospital in Uppsala have fallen suddenly ill with similar symptoms and are suspected to have been poisoned. Police are investigating the cases as attempted murders, but the cause remains unclear after more than two weeks. Staff are anxious and the hospital has tightened security.
On October 25, a nurse fell ill during a shift at Akademiska children's hospital in Uppsala with symptoms including heat flushing, tremors, high blood pressure, and abnormally high heart rate. Within nine days, three more employees on the same ward followed, all with similar symptoms requiring intensive care. One victim needed hospital care for two days, and all showed critically low potassium levels in their blood, according to reports to the Work Environment Authority.
Akademiska hospital did not report to police until after the third case, on November 3 when two people fell ill. The fourth is suspected to have been poisoned, announced by the prosecutor on Monday. Safety manager Viktor Ekström confirms: "What I can confirm is that when suspicion arose of three cases, we chose to contact the police; we do not comment on the individual case."
Police are now investigating four cases of attempted murder, with one lead pointing to extremely high levels of caffeine powder in water bottles, according to reports to Aftonbladet. Lawyer Angelica Dipeders, representing one victim, questions the theory: "I think a holistic approach is needed. I don't think caffeine is the absolute explanation." She doubts a natural cause: "It is extremely strange if this were an accident and a coincidence that four people suffer what happened."
The atmosphere at the hospital is tense. One employee says: "I've started bringing my own water bottle and coffee from home." Another: "It's unpleasant and very scary. One wonders if it's a colleague or relative who is guilty." The hospital has locked the ward doors and introduced extra rounds with security guards. Ekström explains: "We release the information we can," citing investigation secrecy.
The victims are still unwell, with fluctuating symptoms and shock. Dipeders notes: "This is probably what occupies all thought activity right now for all those affected." No permanent security changes are planned until the investigation concludes.
