A highly contagious norovirus is behind more than 1,400 cases of viral gastroenteritis recorded on Rhodes since July, with the island's hospital seeing roughly 40 patients a day at the outbreak's peak in August, before easing to about 30 daily cases in September.
Michalis Sokorelos, director of Rhodes General Hospital's medical services, told iefimerida the vast majority of cases have been mild, typically resolving within two to three days at home. Hospitalization was mainly required for elderly patients or those with chronic underlying conditions, who were more likely to develop dehydration.
Mr. Sokorelos urged strict adherence to personal hygiene measures and asked residents to remain calm.
Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis typically include watery diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes accompanied by nausea, abdominal cramps, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, chills and occasionally low-grade fever.
Most cases resolve without medical treatment.
Norovirus, the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis, has an incubation period of 24 to 48 hours, with symptoms typically lasting one to three days.
The virus spreads primarily through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, or through contaminated food and water, and is highly transmissible between people.
According to Greece's National Public Health Organization (EODY), the country recorded seven norovirus-linked gastroenteritis outbreaks between May and October 2024, compared with an average of one to two annual outbreaks in prior years. Global norovirus infections total roughly 685 million annually, with about 200,000 deaths worldwide, though mortality associated with the illness remains low.