Student from 6th EPAL Athens Hospitalized with Encephalitis – EODY Announcement

A student from the 6th EPAL in Athens is currently being treated in serious condition for encephalitis or meningitis. According to an announcement by EODY (Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention), they were informed by a hospital in Attica regarding this incident involving a student from an EPAL school. The child’s condition is critical, and they are under care in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The cause of the illness is suspected to be viral but remains unknown at this point and is currently under investigation. Guidelines have been issued to send samples to the Meningitis Reference Center at EODY. It is emphasized that no directive has been issued by EODY for the closure of any EPAL schools. Until a clear diagnosis is made, no additional special measures (e.g., antibiotic prophylaxis) beyond general hygiene practices like handwashing are recommended. EODY clarified that this case is unrelated to the recent meningococcal meningitis cases observed in Patras and other areas of Greece.