01.09.2026 13:51
In the Görele district of Giresun, more than 700 people have applied to hospitals in the last 3 days with complaints such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and high fever. When no common food consumption could be identified, attention turned to drinking water. While the municipality stated that no negativity was found in the existing analyses, results of newly taken water samples are awaited.
In the Görele district of Giresun, there has been a notable increase in applications to healthcare institutions with similar complaints. Over the past 3 days, more than 700 people have applied to hospitals with complaints of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps, high fever, and weakness.
It was reported that most of the patients were discharged after outpatient treatment and fluid replacement in emergency departments.
NO COMMON FOOD IDENTIFIED
Health teams have initiated contact tracing and epidemiological investigations to determine the source of the cases.
In the initial assessments, no history of common food consumption was found among the affected individuals. No clustering indicating that the cases were concentrated in a specific neighborhood or region was detected either.
ATTENTION TURNS TO DRINKING WATER
Since a common food source could not be identified, samples were taken from the drinking water and sent for laboratory analysis. It was reported that biological and chemical examinations are ongoing to determine the source of the illnesses.
Teams from the Giresun Provincial Health Directorate, who provided information to Sözcü, stated that investigations are ongoing and no definitive conclusion has been reached yet. It was conveyed that laboratory results are expected to come out this evening.
MINISTRY TEAMS WILL COME TO THE DISTRICT
It was learned that expert teams affiliated with the Ministry of Health will also come to Görele to conduct a detailed investigation to determine whether the cases are of viral or bacterial origin.
Following the work of the expert teams and laboratory results, the factor causing more than 700 people to apply to hospitals with similar complaints is expected to be identified.
STATEMENT FROM THE MUNICIPALITY: "OUR WATERS ARE CLEAN"
Görele Municipality made a statement following the claims that the illnesses might stem from drinking water.
The Municipality stated that water samples taken from the network lines at different points of the district on August 12 and 19, 2026, were analyzed. In the statement, it was said: "In the measurements made, residual chlorine levels were found to be in compliance with relevant standards and at an adequate level. No negativity was found in the existing analysis results regarding the samples taken from our municipality's drinking water network."
NEW SAMPLES IN THE LABORATORY
The Municipality also announced that additional samples were taken from the drinking water networks in the regions where case density was observed following the recent hospital applications.
It was stated that the new samples are being examined in detail in the laboratories of the Provincial Health Directorate and the Ministry of Health, and that definitive results will be shared with the public after being announced by the relevant institutions.
While authorities continue their investigations, the exact cause of illness for more than 700 people has not yet been determined.