Cairo protesters get food poisoning

More than 55 protesters at Cairo's cabinet sit-in have been transferred to hospital after suffering from food poisoning, apparently caused by free food handed out to them by an unidentified woman. The woman reportedly distributed grilled meat sandwiches (Hawawshi) and fish meals on Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Adel Al-Adawi, Assistant Health Minister for Medical Affairs said 24 of the affected were transferred to Kasr El Ainy Hospital, 29 to Al-Monera Hospital, and two to the Toxins Center, confirming that no deaths had occurred so far. Al-Adawi added in a statement broadcast on Egyptian television that the patients received first aid and were given fluids and antibiotics until their conditions showed improvement and stability. He also confirmed that the samples taken from the protesters would be sent to the Central Laboratory of Ministry of Health for testing.  According to eye-witness reports, an unknown woman in her 60s distributed grilled meat sandwiches or (Hawawshi) and fish meals to protesters. Meanwhile, angry cabinet sit-in protesters have decided to block traffic into Tahrir Square, while a strongly worded debate was held between protesters and bystanders after the closure of Omar Makram Street. At the same time, The Department of Preventive Medicine in Ministry of Health announced the health situation of the food poisoned protesters.  Dr. Hisham Attia, Director of the Toxins Center in Kasr El Ainy Hospital, said in a statement to Egyptian TV that tests found no suspicion of deliberate poisoning, suggesting that it was because of bacterial contamination. He also confirmed that all were now in a stable conditio, with only two still under observation. Officials have ruled out foul play.