The reception was attended by guests from the Limassol and Paphos districts. The Health Services of the Ministry of Health confirmed that the two groups of affected individuals are linked to a common source of contamination. Salmonella remains one of the possible causes, though no definitive conclusions have been reached pending laboratory results.
The head of the Health Services, Herodotus Herodotou, told CNA that no firm conclusions have yet been drawn as to the pathogen or toxin responsible for the symptoms reported by those affected. "I am waiting for the laboratory analysis of the food samples before I can say whether or not a specific bacterium was found," he said. He indicated that the incident appears to be linked either to a bacterium that causes food poisoning directly or to one that produces toxins.
Timing of symptoms key to identifying the cause
Investigators are interviewing dozens of people who fell ill as well as guests who attended the reception but showed no symptoms, gathering data on the foods consumed and the time at which symptoms first appeared. "If symptoms appeared within a short time, our thinking goes towards a specific toxin-producing bacterium. If they appeared after one or two days, our thinking goes towards a different organism," Herodotou explained. The interview data will be cross-referenced with the results of microbiological food analysis and, where applicable, laboratory tests on individuals who fell ill. "When we analyse all of this together, we will have safe conclusions," he said.
A second similar incident under investigation
Health authorities are also examining reports of a similar incident that may have occurred at the same venue in the preceding period. "We heard there had been a similar incident recently, but we had not been informed. Now that we have spoken to the media, some people mentioned they had contacted our district offices last week. That incident will also need to be investigated," Herodotou said.
The venue has been suspended under legislation that allows health authorities to impose closures in four-day intervals until they are satisfied that the risk has been eliminated. Herodotou said the possibility of further cases cannot be ruled out. "Cases can appear up to 72 hours after exposure. If it is salmonella, symptoms may appear even later," he said, adding that all individuals interviewed have been advised to go immediately to the nearest hospital if they develop any symptoms. Laboratory results from the State General Laboratory are expected on Friday, at which point health authorities expect to be in a position to provide fuller answers.
Source: CNA
