Sta 100 cases of gastroenteritiswhich appeared in the local communities of Rizomylos and Stefanovikei of D. Rigas Feraios, according to the regional governor of Thessaly, Mr. Dimitris Kouretas, who gave a press conference a while ago.

In particular, Mr. Kouretas stated:

“From the recording of the cases and from the telephone communications that have been made with the Velestino Hospital, the Volos General Hospital and the Larissa General Hospital until today 06/03/24, in total they have come to the health facilities in question, 100 cases of gastroenteritisof all ages and sexes, with symptom onset dates between 24/05/24-02/06/24′.

He added that “nine (9) children were hospitalized in the pediatric clinic, of which 2 have been discharged, while an elderly person with underlying diseases is hospitalized in the ICU of GN Volos. These are residents of the areas in question whose connection to the phenomenon is being investigated.”

Salmonella was detected in the water

Mr. Kouretas also referred to the laboratory tests on the water. “On 31/05/2024, the Department of Health Control and Environmental Hygiene (TYEPY) of the Magnesia PE, in collaboration with the EODY, went to the areas for sanitary identification of the water supply network, took water samples from points representative of the water supply network and sent them to PEDY Thessaly for laboratory control. Today, 03/06/24, new water samples will be taken from boreholes, the tank and points representative of the network. Today, 03/06/24, new water samples will be taken from boreholes, the tank and points representative of the network.

According to the first results of the laboratory control of the water samples, there is microbiological burden in samples from the regional network and the reservoir. Specifically, in addition to microbial indicators of fecal contamination found in several sampling points, additional Salmonella spp. in the tank and in two additional samples of the regional network. Laboratory testing of water samples and identification of pathogens will continue in the coming days.”

“Regarding the laboratory control of the clinical samples, one (1) stool sample taken from a patient who attended the Velestino Hospital and sent to the Thessaly PEDY is positive for Salmonella. Six (6) samples feces from the children who are hospitalized at GN Volos are also positive for Salmonella and pending the completion of the laboratory control of stool samples of the remaining three (3) children. It has been requested to send the clinical cultures to the National Salmonella-Sigella Reference Center (EKASS) for serotyping”.

EODY instructions

The EODY and the PEDY of Thessaly, in collaboration with the Directorate of Public Health and Social Care (DDY) and the TYEPY of the PE of Magnesia, informed the Municipality of Riga Feraio on 31/05/2024 about the phenomenon. DEYA Riga Feraiu issued a notice to citizens regarding the non-use of water from the water supply network for human use.

EODY recommends the continuation non-use of potable water for human consumption and the strict observance of personal hygiene measures, to avoid the secondary transmission of the disease. Water is recommended to be used for toilet use only and not for:

  • washing food,
  • food preparation
  • or individual cleanliness

If it has to be used, it should boil at 100 degrees for at least 3 minutes.

The EODY, in collaboration with the DDY of the Magnesia Region, have given the appropriate instructions to immediately start the sanitation of the water supply network, which concerns both boreholes, reservoirs (cleaning, disinfection, superchlorination) as well as the flushing of the regional network. Checks on the water supply network will be daily until the water quality is fully restored.

The investigation is ongoing. A team from the EODY and the PEDY of Thessaly went to the PE of Magnesia on 3/6/24 for an on-site epidemiological investigation, while an analytical epidemiological study has been launched in order to fully investigate the phenomenon”.