Salmonella outbreak in Lamia: 30 patients seek emergency care, 12 hospitalized as contaminated chicken batch suspected

Sudden rise in cases

From the weekend, Lamia's general hospital saw a sharp increase in patients with high fever, vomiting and diarrhoea. By Monday noon, 30 people had been treated in the emergency department and 12 remained hospitalised, some in the pathology clinic and short-stay unit. Many others with milder symptoms consulted private doctors and stayed at home, meaning the true number of affected people is likely higher.

The hospital confirmed salmonella through laboratory analysis and immediately alerted the National Public Health Organisation (EODY). Health inspectors moved quickly to inspect seven food-service outlets across the city, all of which had received a delivery from the same large supply chain.

A shared source despite different venues

The patients did not know each other and had eaten at separate establishments, ruling out a single-site outbreak. This pattern pointed investigators towards a common raw ingredient. All affected individuals reported eating chicken, and the focus of the investigation is now a specific batch from a known poultry company, distributed via a major wholesaler.

The patients do not know each other. They did not eat together anywhere. Concern exists about the supplier of the product that was contaminated with salmonella and sold on the meat market.

Authorities fear that the contaminated batch was not confined to Lamia. Because the supplier serves a wide network, deliveries may have reached other regions, raising the prospect of additional cases beyond Fthiotida.

A race against time to recall the batch

An added complication is timing. Most of the suspect chicken was consumed over the busy weekend, leaving little material for laboratory testing. The local health directorate is nevertheless working urgently with the supply chain to trace the batch and withdraw any remaining stock.

By the numbers

Of the 30 documented emergency visits, 12 required inpatient care. An unknown number of milder cases were managed at home with advice from private physicians. The hospital's official statement said that since Friday (10 July) more than 20 people had come to the emergency department, but the total grew to 30 by lunchtime Monday.

From Friday (10/7) until today in Lamia, over 20 people went through the Emergency Department of the General Hospital of Lamia, with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.

Next steps and risk of wider spread

EODY has asked the regional public health service to intensify checks and trace the origin of the infection. The priority is to identify the supplier definitively and remove any remaining contaminated meat from the market. As hospital admissions continue, officials warn that unless the source is swiftly isolated, the outbreak could affect consumers well beyond Lamia.