A Salmonella outbreak has sickened about 20 people in a region of Greece.
The Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY) is helping local authorities investigate the outbreak in Lamia. EODY was informed about salmonellosis cases by the local hospital in Lamia earlier this month.
Authorities have advised people in Lamia to avoid eating chicken until more information is known and the source is confirmed, with laboratory testing ongoing.
A dozen patients are younger than 30 years old. Interviewed cases reported having chicken at different outlets before getting ill with symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Broader analysis
EODY recently published data on the number of outbreaks in Greece from 2004 to 2025.
In 2025, 58 foodborne outbreaks or clusters were reported. Salmonella was responsible for 34 outbreaks while 13 were linked to other bacteria. Viruses, such as hepatitis A virus, norovirus and rotavirus, caused four outbreaks, and one was because of a parasite.
An analytical epidemiological case-control study was conducted for a norovirus outbreak that sickened 62 people. It was traced to tap water.
Salmonellosis was the second most frequently reported foodborne disease in 2025, following campylobacteriosis.
The number of Salmonella infections decreased compared to 2024 from 1,053 to 929. Salmonella Enteritidis was the most common type followed by Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Bovismorbificans.
In 2025, there were 21 Listeria infections recorded, compared to 26 in 2024.
From 2004 to 2025, the highest mean annual notification rate was recorded among individuals aged older than 65, followed by those aged up to 4 years old.
Overall, 157 cases were immunocompromised, 10 were pregnant and 12 were newborns with vertically acquired infection. Four miscarriages and 15 premature births were reported. During the same period, 68 deaths were observed.
