More than 70 guests at a wedding reception in Limassol have fallen ill with food poisoning, with 21 people hospitalised including children, as health authorities investigate the cause and preliminary tests point to salmonella.
The Ministry of Health’s Health Services launched a full investigation after guests at the May 31 reception began showing symptoms. According to Phileleftheros sources, the dish consumed was chicken à la crème.
Initial indications from Health Services testing point to salmonella, though the Head of Health Services, Irodotos Irodotou, stressed that findings remain preliminary and must be confirmed by the State General Laboratory, with results expected within the next few days.
Irodotou added that some patients showed symptoms very quickly after eating, which raises the possibility of a toxin-producing bacterium such as staphylococcus being involved. Authorities have not ruled out either possibility.
Of the more than 70 guests affected, 39 were from Limassol and approximately 35 from Paphos. By yesterday, 21 people had been hospitalised, with authorities estimating the actual number may be higher. Three guests from the Paphos group also required hospitalisation.
Irodotou called on anyone who attended the reception and has shown symptoms to contact their district Health Services office immediately for guidance and assessment.
Authorities are also investigating whether the same premises caused a similar poisoning incident the previous Saturday, when food was also prepared there.
Irodotou told Phileleftheros that authorities acted immediately upon being notified, contacting the couple, who said approximately 50 people had shown symptoms from the outset.
“We immediately launched investigations and began taking personal interviews from the patients — guests. An on-site inspection was carried out, food samples were taken, and the premises where the food was prepared were suspended for several days,” he said.