Μake us preferred on Google Cases of gastroenteritis remain persistently high on Rhodes, with dozens of patients continuing to arrive at the island’s main hospital each day and health authorities still unable to identify a single source behind the outbreak.
From Aug. 13 through Sept. 21, Rhodes General Hospital recorded 1,384 cases over 40 days, or an average of about 35 patients a day, according to data cited by the local news outlet Dimokratiki. The numbers have shown little sign of easing in September, even as the busiest part of the summer season has passed. During 19 days in August, the hospital recorded 640 cases, an average of 33.7 a day. Over the first 21 days of September, there were 744, averaging 35.4 a day.
The first major surge came on Aug. 14, when 58 patients sought treatment. Another 52 cases were recorded two days later. The highest daily total came on Sept. 7, with 63 patients.
Daily totals have swung widely, falling as low as 11 on Aug. 22 before rising again to 49. In nine of the 40 days covered by the hospital data, more than 40 patients arrived at the emergency department with gastroenteritis symptoms; on only three days did the daily total fall below 20.
During the most recent seven-day period included in the figures, from Sept. 15 through Sept. 21, the hospital recorded 234 cases.
Water Tests Have So Far Come Back Clear
Health authorities have yet to identify a common source behind the cases.
The South Aegean regional public health authority has said inspections of the drinking water network have so far found no contamination. Samples taken Sept. 7 from nine locations in Rhodes city showed normal results for total coliform bacteria, E. coli and enterococci.
Health officials also began testing specifically for norovirus after the virus was detected in samples from some patients. On Sept. 16, five additional samples were taken from the city’s water network and sent to a laboratory for norovirus testing. Three of the five sampling points were in areas linked to patients whose samples had tested positive for norovirus. According to the information cited by Dimokratiki, the laboratory later informed authorities by telephone that all five samples were clear.
Another round of testing was carried out Sept. 24 at 10 locations in Rhodes city. A third round is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 10 sites elsewhere on the island. Health inspectors have also been conducting checks on restaurants and other food businesses after reports of gastrointestinal illness and possible violations of food hygiene and safety rules.
