The number of people affected by a food poisoning outbreak in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, has risen to 58, prompting a large-scale medical response from local health authorities.

Gulzhigit Aaliev, chief physician of the Republican Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital, said that 23 patients were hospitalized after seeking treatment with symptoms of food poisoning. Nine of them are expected to be discharged after showing significant improvement, The Caspian Post reports via Inbusiness.kz.

"The condition of those being discharged has improved, while the remaining patients are stable and continue to receive treatment," Aaliev said.

In addition to those hospitalized, 35 people received outpatient medical care and were allowed to return home after evaluation and treatment.

The outbreak is believed to be linked to the consumption of Olivier salad served at a madrassa in the Kyrgyz capital on June 18. Shortly after eating the meal, residents reportedly began experiencing symptoms and sought medical assistance.