For an outbreak of cases of gastroenteritis in the Magnesia region, the EODY refers to residents of the areas of Rizomylos and Stefanovikiou. According to the announcement of the organization, the outbreak was observed from 27/05/24.
Although the death of a man at Volos General Hospital from gastroenteritis, with the epidemiological data of the investigation so far, is not associated with the outbreak of cases in Stefanovikio and Rizomilos, from the recording of cases and from the telephone communications with the Health Centre of Velestino, the Volos General Hospital and the Larissa General Hospital until today 03/06/24, a total of 100 cases of gastroenteritis have been admitted to these health structures between 24/05/24-02/06/24.
In addition, nine children were hospitalised in the paediatric clinic, of which 2 have been discharged, while one elderly person with underlying diseases is hospitalised in the ICU of Volos General Hospital. These are residents of the areas in question, whose connection with the phenomenon is being investigated.
Sampling of a water supply network detected contamination
On 31/05/2024, the Department of Sanitary Control and Environmental Hygiene (KYEPY) of the Magnesia Region, in cooperation with EODY, went to the areas for sanitary identification of the water supply network, took water samples from representative points of the water supply network and sent them to the Thessaly PEDY for laboratory testing. Today, 03/06/24, new water samples were taken from boreholes, the reservoir and points representative of the network.
According to the first results of the laboratory testing of the water samples, there is microbiological contamination in samples from the peripheral network and the reservoir.
In particular, in addition to microbial indicators of faecal contamination detected at several sampling points, additional Salmonella was detected in the reservoir and in two additional samples from the peripheral network.
Laboratory testing of water samples and identification of pathogens will continue in the coming days.
Regarding the laboratory testing of the clinical samples, one (1) stool sample taken from a patient who came to Velestinou Health Centre and sent to the Thessaly PEDY is positive for Salmonella. Six (6) stool samples from children hospitalised at the Volos General Hospital are also positive for Salmonella and laboratory testing of stool samples from the remaining three (3) children is pending completion.
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The EODY recommends the continued non-use of drinking water for human consumption and strict adherence to personal hygiene measures to avoid secondary transmission of the disease.
Water is recommended to be used exclusively for toilet use and not for food washing, food preparation or personal hygiene.
If it must be used, it should be boiled at 100 degrees for at least 3 minutes. The EODY, in cooperation with the ΔΔY of PE Magnesia, have given the appropriate instructions to start immediately the sanitation of the water supply network, which involves both boreholes, reservoir (cleaning, disinfection, chlorination) and the flushing of the peripheral network.
Checks on the water supply network will be carried out daily until water quality is fully restored. The investigation is ongoing. A team of EODY and PEDY Thessaly went to the Magnesia region on 3/6/24 for on-site epidemiological investigation and a detailed epidemiological study has been initiated to fully investigate the phenomenon.
