More than 30 people have sought treatment at General Hospital of Lamia for salmonella-related gastroenteritis, with at least 15 hospitalized, including one minor, as health authorities investigate the source of the outbreak.
A team of specialists from Greece's National Public Health Organization (EODY) is on the ground in Lamia attempting to identify the establishments responsible for the contamination, though no definitive source has yet been confirmed.
According to preliminary information, the outbreak likely stems from at least five different food establishments, with chicken identified as the probable source.
Michalis Giannakos, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Public Hospital Employees (POEDIN), said patients do not know one another and had not eaten together, indicating the contamination originated from multiple points across the city rather than a single restaurant or gathering.
He raised concern about the possibility that a contaminated meat supplier distributed the affected product beyond Lamia, and called for authorities to swiftly identify the supplier and pull tainted products from the market.
The hospital confirmed the presence of salmonella through laboratory testing and immediately alerted EODY, which in turn notified Fthiotida's Directorate of Public Administration and Social Welfare, now conducting inspections of local food establishments to trace the source.
In a statement, hospital administration said patients arriving since Friday, July 10, have presented with diarrhea, vomiting and fever, with 12 currently hospitalized in the internal medicine ward and short-stay unit.
Local media reported that additional cases were treated by private physicians and remained at home, suggesting the true scope of the outbreak may be larger than official hospital figures indicate.
By Vassilis Venizelos