Norovirus cases at Attikon hospital in Greece: Management says situation under control
Facebook
Twitter
Flipboard
Send
Reddit
Linkedin
Messenger
Telegram
VK
Bluesky
Threads
Whatsapp
All the prescribed monitoring and infection-prevention protocols have been activated, and nine cases have been detected so far, authorities said.
The management of the ‘Attikon’ hospital in Haidari is seeking to reassure the public after numerous cases of acute gastroenteritis caused by norovirus infection.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
From the moment the first acute gastroenteritis cases were detected at the Attikon hospital, all prescribed surveillance and infection-prevention protocols were activated, in close cooperation with the Hospital Infection Committee and the competent health authorities, according to a statement by the Hospital Administration and the Infections Committee (Professors Sp. Pournaras and Sot. Tsiodras).
According to the announcement, the hospital continues to operate normally and safely, while the situation is being monitored around the clock. It notes that “these are cases of gastroenteritis consistent with norovirus infection, a phenomenon frequently observed both in hospital units and in the community internationally, particularly because of the high transmissibility of the virus”.
Sample-based laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of norovirus in nine suspected cases, while the epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
The recorded cases involve patients, accompanying relatives and health professionals, all with mild, self-limiting symptoms. At present there is no indication of a serious threat to public health or to the overall functioning of the hospital, the statement adds.
Enhanced prevention and infection-control measures have already been implemented, including:
- Strict adherence to hand hygiene (with soap and water, due to norovirus resistance to alcohol-based sanitisers)
- Intensified cleaning and disinfection of surfaces (with a bleach solution)
- Use of appropriate personal protective equipment, where required
- Isolation of cases in line with international protocols
- Epidemiological surveillance of patients and staff
- Guidance for accompanying relatives and staff – restriction of visitors
Read more
