How the Norovirus outbreak started at “Attikon” – Over 50 suspected cases

Concern is prevailing among staff and patients at Attikon Hospital due to the outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by norovirus, which was announced earlier today, Thursday (28/05), by the hospital’s staff union.

According to information from POEDHN, the phenomenon began in the neurosurgery clinic on May 21, and by May 26, 53 suspected cases among staff and patients have been recorded, of which 9 have been confirmed in the laboratory.

Of the confirmed cases, 5 involve patients and 4 involve staff.

In collaboration with the National Public Health Organization (EODY), all necessary preventive measures are being implemented, such as isolating patients and granting leave to employees showing symptoms. Additionally, disinfection procedures are being carried out, and measures are being taken to prevent further spread of the virus.

At Attikon Hospital, a committee for the prevention of hospital-acquired infections, led by Professors Tsiodras and Pournaras, continuously evaluates the situation.

The hospital is operating normally, and there has been no need for staff hospitalization due to the incident, while patients are not at risk, according to POEDHN.

“Without this being limited to just Attikon Hospital but concerning all large hospitals in Athens, Thessaloniki, and the regions, it is a fact that the proliferation of stretchers, patient hospitalizations spread mainly in intervention clinics for patients with pathological conditions, and understaffing have placed us at the unfortunate top position in hospital-acquired infections among European Union countries,” it emphasizes.

It is recalled that in a social media post today, Thursday (28/05), the Attikon Hospital Staff Union highlighted:

“This is not a simple ‘incident’ detached from the overall situation prevailing at the hospital. The spread of such a highly contagious virus within a hospital like ‘Attikon’ finds fertile ground in the understaffing of nursing personnel and the unacceptable conditions of stretchers and constant overcrowding.

For 13 years we have been warning: a hospital that permanently operates above its limits, with corridors full of stretchers, with patients stacked together (surgical, immunocompromised, critically ill, elderly), with staff running to cover multiple positions, cannot ensure the basic conditions for safe care.”

The union’s announcement:

“Urgent: Gastroenteritis outbreak at Attikon with cases among healthcare workers, patients, and companions.

How will it stop when patients are on stretchers and don’t even have a toilet?

The Attikon Hospital Staff Union expresses its strong concern regarding the confirmed hospital-acquired outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis, recorded in recent days in our hospital, with cases in at least 25 healthcare workers and dozens of patients and companions (!!!).

This is not a simple ‘incident’ isolated from the overall situation prevailing in the hospital. The spread of such a contagious virus within a hospital like ‘Attikon’ finds fertile ground in understaffing of nursing personnel and the unacceptable condition of stretchers and constant overcrowding.

For 13 years we have warned: a hospital that permanently operates beyond its limits, with corridors full of stretchers, with patients stacked (surgical, immunocompromised, critically ill, elderly), with personnel rushing to cover multiple posts, cannot ensure the basic conditions for safe hospitalization.

Finally, will the Minister, the Deputy Minister of Health, and the Administration MAKE A DECISION TO ABOLISH STRETCHERS AT ATTIKON?

Will the prosecutor intervene? We filed a complaint six months ago!

How will isolation measures, movement restrictions, separate toilet use, and strict hygiene be implemented when dozens of patients are hospitalized on stretchers in corridors without basic facilities?

Our Union calls on all staff to comply with hygiene rules and the instructions of the Infection Committee, which responded promptly. We emphasize that the responsibility is political and administrative.

It weighs on all governments that treat health as a cost, leaving hospitals without permanent staff, accepting stretchers as ‘normality,’ and turning public hospitals into continuous emergency spaces.

We demand immediately:

All necessary measures to limit the spread and the immediate removal from work of all symptomatic employees.
Adequate personal protective equipment, disinfection materials, separate spaces where required, and all necessary infrastructure for safe patient care.
An end to the unacceptable conditions with stretchers and patient hospitalization in corridors and unsuitable areas.
Immediate permanent hiring of staff, based on the hospital’s actual needs.

WE DEMAND URGENTLY, by political decision of the Ministry of Health, and at least for the next on-call shift on Saturday, May 30, that Attikon be released from the general emergency schedule of the metropolitan area. New admissions and new stretchers mean a healthcare crime. Attikon cannot endure more.”

Tsiodras on “Attikon”: Epidemiological investigation into gastroenteritis continues

In a statement issued by the hospital administration under the signature of Sotiris Tsiodras, the gastroenteritis cases are confirmed, noting that from the first moment, all infection surveillance and prevention protocols were activated.

According to the statement, a sample laboratory check has confirmed the presence of norovirus in nine (9) suspected cases. However, the epidemiological investigation continues.

Specifically, the hospital’s statement reads:

Regarding reports of acute gastroenteritis cases, we inform that from the first moment all prescribed infection surveillance and prevention protocols were activated, in close cooperation with the Hospital Infection Committee and the competent health authorities.

These are cases of gastroenteritis consistent with norovirus infection, a phenomenon frequently observed in both hospital units and the community internationally, particularly due to the virus’s high transmissibility. Sample laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of norovirus in nine (9) suspected cases. The epidemiological investigation continues.

The recorded cases involve patients, companions, and healthcare professionals, with mild and self-limiting symptoms. At this time, there is no indication of a serious threat to public health or the overall functioning of the hospital.

Enhanced prevention and control measures have already been implemented, including:

• strict hand hygiene (with soap and water due to norovirus resistance to alcohol-based sanitizers)
• intensified cleaning and surface disinfection (with bleach solution)
• use of appropriate personal protective equipment where required
• isolation of cases according to international protocols
• epidemiological monitoring of patients and staff
• guidance for companions and staff
• restriction of visitors

The hospital is operating normally and safely, with continuous 24-hour monitoring of the situation.