Gastroenteritis Outbreak Reported at Athens Hospital
Athens, May 29 – Over 50 suspected cases of gastroenteritis have been recorded among patients and staff at Athens’ Attikon University Hospital, prompting health authorities to introduce containment measures. The situation appears to be showing signs of easing, according to hospital officials.
Outbreak Details and Response
The outbreak, which began in the hospital’s neurosurgery department on May 21, saw a total of 53 suspected gastroenteritis cases identified by May 26, involving both employees and patients. Laboratory tests have confirmed nine cases of norovirus, affecting five patients and four members of staff. The remaining suspected cases are either still under investigation or have tested negative. Hospital officials stated that no staff member required hospitalization, and the overall situation is improving.
In cooperation with Greece’s national public health organization, the hospital has implemented a series of measures to limit the virus’s spread. These include patient isolation, leave for symptomatic employees, disinfection procedures, and stricter hygiene protocols. A hospital committee specializing in infection prevention is actively overseeing the response. Union representatives for public hospital workers confirmed that the hospital continues to operate normally, and the outbreak is subsiding.
Staff Raise Concerns Over Hospital Conditions
Despite the easing of the outbreak, representatives for hospital employees have voiced concerns, arguing that the incident highlights broader issues within public healthcare facilities, such as overcrowding and staff shortages. They assert that highly contagious viruses can spread more easily in hospitals operating beyond capacity, where patients are often treated in corridors, and medical staff are stretched across multiple roles.
Workers’ representatives questioned the effectiveness of isolation measures and movement restrictions when patients are accommodated outside regular wards and without adequate infrastructure. The workers’ union has called for additional protective equipment and staffing, the removal of corridor beds, and temporary relief from emergency duty schedules to prevent further strain on the hospital. They also warned that additional admissions could worsen the situation if overcrowding persists.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges within the Greek healthcare system, which has faced scrutiny for staffing woes and stretched resources, as highlighted in recent reports from the Hellenic Statistical Authority and the OECD.
