Gastroenteritis outbreak reported at Mexico General Hospital: symptoms and transmission explained

An acute gastroenteritis outbreak at Mexico’s General Hospital has affected resident and specialty doctors, who authorities said were stable and receiving medical care. As of Thursday, 41 people remained under observation and treatment.

The outbreak was initially associated with food provided by the hospital’s contracted institutional cafeteria. Laboratory tests identified Salmonella spp. and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, known as ETEC, in two analyzed cases.

Common symptoms include diarrhea, chills, fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain and general discomfort, along with a persistent urge to defecate. These symptoms generally appear six to 72 hours after exposure and can last from four to seven days. The infection does not usually cause fever and often clears within three to five days, although severe cases can lead to dehydration.

Intestinal infections can spread through contaminated food or water, or from person to person through oral transmission. Salmonella can be transmitted through chicken, eggs and dairy products. Health guidance for those infected includes drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day, eating small meals, and consuming salty foods, rehydration drinks, potassium and fruit juices.

The General Hospital suspended its contracted cafeteria service for resident doctors after the suspected source emerged. It said the epidemiological and health investigation would continue to determine the precise source of contamination.