A food poisoning outbreak in northern France has taken a tragic turn, resulting in the death of a 12-year-old girl and the hospitalization of seven other children. The outbreak, which has been traced to the town of Saint-Quentin, south of Lille, saw symptoms first emerge on June 12, with affected children swiftly admitted to medical care.
The girl succumbed to haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition associated with acute kidney failure, often caused by E.coli bacteria. By mid-week, health authorities reported a total of eight severe cases among children aged between 1 and 12. Five of these children have developed HUS, indicating serious health risks associated with the outbreak.
Local officials have expressed their concern over the situation, with Mayor Frédérique Macarez informing media that confirmed cases now total ten, including a child receiving treatment in Reims. Investigators suspect that the outbreak may be linked to two butchers in the area, as parents reported that several children had consumed meat from these establishments prior to becoming ill.
In response to the outbreak, both butchers have been closed as a precaution while health officials conduct food safety inspections and laboratory tests on samples from the shops. The owners of La Direction, one of the affected butchers, extended their condolences to the family of the deceased girl via a heartfelt social media message.
Authorities have proactively advised parents against purchasing specific meat products such as merguez or lamb from the local butchers acquired in early June, highlighting the need for heightened health vigilance. They have ruled out local tap water contamination, which remains safe for use.
Amid these developments, health officials are stressing the importance of hygiene, urging residents to wash hands frequently, properly prepare food, and maintain strict separation between raw and cooked items in their kitchens to mitigate the risk of further infections in the community.
