Health authorities are investigating a salmonella outbreak after more than two dozen people sought hospital treatment, prompting an urgent public health response to identify the source of the infections. The outbreak has been confirmed through laboratory testing at Lamia General Hospital, Central Greece, where patients began arriving with symptoms consistent with Salmonella infection.

Greece’s National Public Health Organisation, EODY, was notified and an epidemiological investigation is now underway. Health officials are working to determine whether the cases are linked to a common food source. Early findings suggest those affected had eaten at different food establishments, leading investigators to examine whether a shared supplier may have distributed contaminated products.

Authorities are also examining whether the suspected contaminated food batch may have been distributed beyond Lamia. Officials have not confirmed that contaminated products reached other parts of Greece and laboratory testing is continuing to determine the source of the outbreak, according to The Greek Reporter.

According to local media, dozens of people have sought medical care, while some patients required hospitalisation. Most experienced symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting – typical of Salmonella infection. Inspectors have collected food samples from businesses linked to the investigation, while health authorities are tracing supply chains to identify the source of the contamination.

Lamia is a historic city in Central Greece, nestled at the foothills of Mount Oeta, overlooking the Spercheios River valley and the Malian Gulf and about 2.5 hours north of Athens. It is an excellent choice for tourists seeking an authentic, peaceful holiday away from the capital's crowds, boasting highlights such as the 12th-century Byzantine Castle of Lamia, which sits atop a steep hill overlooking the city and offers incredible panoramic views. For nature lovers, the Oitis National Park, located just west of the city, features hiking trails and the Agathonos Monastery.

Salmonella is a common bacterium that usually lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. It is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness (salmonellosis) worldwide. People typically contract the infection by consuming food or water contaminated with microscopic amounts of animal faeces - frequently raw or undercooked poultry, meat, eggs, unpasteurized milk, or contaminated raw fruits and vegetables.

The onset of symptoms is relatively rapid, typically occurring six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria. Once the infection takes hold, it primarily targets the gastrointestinal tract, leading to sudden symptoms such as diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), intense abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting and a general feeling of fatigue.

For most healthy adults, the illness is self-limiting, meaning it runs its course and resolves without medical treatment within four to seven days. However, the primary danger is dehydration from fluid loss. In vulnerable populations, such as infants, older adults, or anyone with a compromised immune system, the bacteria can escape the intestines and enter the bloodstream, requiring immediate treatment with antibiotics to prevent severe, life-threatening complications.