The salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated chicken in the central Greek city of Lamia appears to be subsiding, with many patients discharged from hospital and more expected to return home in the coming days.
So far, 35 residents have developed symptoms of salmonella infection. According to the latest information, several patients were discharged on Tuesday, while additional patients are expected to leave hospital on Wednesday.
However, health authorities caution that the outbreak may not be over yet, as inspections into the contaminated poultry have not been completed.
Speaking to Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, Theodoros Vasilakopoulos, president of the Scientific Council of the National Public Health Organization (EODY), urged residents to avoid eating chicken over the next few days as a precaution.
He said there is no significant risk of salmonella transmission through eggs, while authorities continue investigating how the poultry became contaminated without the supplier detecting the problem.
Vasilakopoulos also warned that a small number of additional cases could still be reported because the disease’s incubation period can last up to seven days.
Despite the ongoing investigation, he stressed that the situation is under control and noted that deaths caused by salmonella are extremely rare.
He also advised the public not to assume that every case of gastroenteritis is caused by salmonella and reminded consumers to follow basic food safety practices. In particular, he recommended that raw chicken should not be kept in the refrigerator for four to five days but instead should be cooked or frozen promptly.
