The Provincial Delegation of the Ministry of Health in Ciudad Real has activated the appropriate food safety and epidemiological health protocols to identify the causes behind a sudden outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in an elderly care facility in the municipality of La Solana. Two deaths have now occurred, with ten additional cases under observation or treatment. This action underscores the seriousness of the situation and the commitment to rapid containment and clarity for affected residents and staff.
According to the regional government, the Epidemiology Department within the Health Delegation received a notification from the Emergency Department at Manzanares Hospital on Tuesday morning. The report confirmed two cases of acute gastroenteritis, one of which resulted in death during hospitalization, with a further seven cases identified at the residence. The situation prompted immediate coordination to assess the broader impact on residents and work routines at the facility.
Officials are in contact with the residence to verify the latest developments, including the death of another individual connected to the housing organization last Sunday. This marks a concerning pattern that requires careful investigation and transparent communication with families and staff alike, while preserving the dignity and privacy of those affected.
The initial clinical picture showed gastroenteritis presenting with diarrhea and a general decline in health, accompanied by bleeding in some stool samples. As the situation has evolved, two people have died and ten more have been affected, with one patient hospitalized, seven residents affected, and two staff members reporting illness. The health authorities are monitoring all patients closely and providing appropriate medical care as needed.
All currently affected individuals are presenting mild symptoms, with several showing partial or full improvement. Regional health officials emphasize the importance of thorough verification of cases, careful monitoring of symptom onset, and ongoing assessment of patients to prevent further spread within the facility.
The Health Committee has requested detailed information from the residence, including the identity information of all cases, the date and time of symptom onset, foods consumed in the 72 hours preceding symptoms, and the distribution of cases across the center’s cafeteria. This data will support outbreak reconstruction and guide targeted interventions to reduce transmission risk among residents and staff.
Efforts are underway to document the distribution of affected individuals across different rooms and dormitory areas, as well as to inform care staff about overlap in shift duties to avoid cross-contamination and to determine the need for stool culture sampling from detected cases. The aim is to establish a clear epidemiological map that can steer containment measures and inform future precautions in similar settings.
In parallel, the Food Safety department has been alerted to implement the necessary precautions, while official veterinary services have inspected the dormitory facilities to ensure that animal-related exposure is ruled out and to confirm compliance with sanitary guidelines. This multiagency response reflects a comprehensive, coordinated approach to an outbreak that could affect vulnerable populations in residential care facilities, with a focus on protecting residents, staff, and the wider community.