France - Saint-Quentin, Aisne: several cases of severe food poisoning, including 10 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome and 1 death - E.Coli bacteria c

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SAINT-QUENTIN: Several cases of severe food poisoning

Updated on 06/18/2025

SAINT-QUENTIN: Several cases of severe food poisoning, including 4 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome [TABLE="width: 638"]
[TR]
[TD]Seven cases of mucous-filled diarrhea have been reported in children aged 1 to 12 living in Saint-Quentin and the surrounding area. Symptoms began between June 12 and 17, and four of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), one of whom died. Public Health France (SPF) and the regional health agency (ARS) are conducting investigations to identify the source of the infections.

Update as of June 18

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) was informed of the death on June 16 of a 12-year-old child living in Saint-Quentin from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is a rare complication characterized by acute renal failure, due to the presence of Shiga toxin. Six other children, also living in or near Saint-Quentin, were treated in the emergency room of the Saint-Quentin hospital between June 13 and 18 for severe digestive symptoms (bloody diarrhea), three of whom had HUS.

Biological analyses are underway to identify the bacterial strain that infected each child and to determine whether these strains have similar characteristics.

An investigation is underway to determine the origin of this poisoning.

As soon as these cases were reported, SPF and ARS immediately began investigations to look for a possible common origin of the contamination. The initial elements of the investigation did not establish that these seven children ate meals together. At the current stage of the investigation, it appears that the children do not all attend the same groups and the families have multiple sources of food. Investigations are actively continuing.

HUS, a complication of a bacterial disease

HUS is an infectious disease most often of food origin that occurs in most cases as a complication of poisoning by a bacterium of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) family. An infection by the E. coli bacteria manifests itself by diarrhea often accompanied by blood, abdominal pain and sometimes vomiting which can progress, after about a week, to a severe form of the infection. This manifests itself by great fatigue, pallor and a patient who urinates much less (or not at all), with darker urine. This is called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The patient must be hospitalized quickly and receive appropriate treatment. This disease remains uncommon with between 100 and 165 children recorded each year by Public Health France.

Consult a doctor immediately in case of bloody diarrhea.

If you notice that your child has bloody diarrhea, call 15.

Person-to-person transmission is possible, particularly in household settings or in groups of young children. Hand hygiene measures should therefore be routine in cases of diarrhea.

Hygiene recommendations to prevent the risk of foodborne illness

As with any foodborne illness, prevention involves respecting the following rules:

• Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals.

• Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.

• Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.

• Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

• Cooked meals and leftover food should be refrigerated promptly and reheated thoroughly and consumed promptly.

• Kitchen utensils (especially those that have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly.

• Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).

• Meats must be cooked thoroughly.

For more information on the disease and prevention measures, consult the website of Public Health France: Hemolytic uremic syndrome – Public Health France .[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Download CP - SHU Saint-Quentin VF
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https://www.aisne.gouv.fr/Publicati...eurs-cas-d-intoxications-alimentaires-severes

 

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Severe food poisoning in the Saint-Quentin area: Update as of June 19 and reminder of recommendations

Press release
June 19, 2025

Public Health France (SPF) and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) are conducting investigations to identify the source of the contamination.

Update as of June 19.

An eighth case of mucous-bloody diarrhea was confirmed on the evening of June 18 in a child living in the Saint-Quentin area. Since June 12, eight children living in or near Saint-Quentin have been treated for severe digestive symptoms (bloody diarrhea). Five of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), one of whom unfortunately died. Biological analyses are underway to identify the bacterial strain that infected each child.

All means are being mobilized to identify the origin of this poisoning and to treat the sick children.

Since the cases were first reported, Public Health France and the ARS have been deploying all means to identify a possible common source of the contamination. At the current stage of the investigations, the investigation has confirmed that these 8 children did not eat meals together and that they do not all attend the same groups. Investigations are continuing at all water supply points.

The health inspection carried out on June 17 confirms the absence of bacteriological contamination of the tap water: the tap water is therefore drinkable. It can be used for drinking and for all everyday purposes (toilets, dishes, cleaning, etc.). The latest water analyses carried out at the "La Bul" swimming pool, as well as in the town of Gauchy, are also compliant.

The search is actively continuing. More than thirty ARS and SPF employees are specifically mobilized to investigate with the families and in the environments frequented by the children, to coordinate medical services and to ensure that the population is informed, along with the prefecture and the town of Saint-Quentin.

The services of the Saint-Quentin Hospital Center, the regional hospitals, and the Amiens and Lille University Hospitals are organized and coordinated to care for patients who need them. Hospitalization capacity is sufficient to meet hospitalization needs.

Call 15 immediately in case of bloody diarrhea

If you notice your child has bloody diarrhea, call 15. Person-to-person transmission is possible, especially in the home or in groups of young children. Hand hygiene measures should therefore be routine in cases of diarrhea.

Hygiene recommendations to prevent the risk of foodborne illness

As with any foodborne illness, prevention involves respecting the following rules:

1. Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals.
2. Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.
3. Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.
4. Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
5. Cooked meals and leftover food should be refrigerated promptly and reheated thoroughly and consumed promptly.
6. Kitchen utensils (especially those that have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly.
7. Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).
8. Meats must be cooked thoroughly.

For more information on the disease and prevention measures, consult the website of Public Health France: Hemolytic uremic syndrome – Public Health France.

HUS, a complication of a bacterial disease

HUS is an infectious disease most often of food origin that occurs in most cases as a complication of poisoning by a bacterium of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) family. An infection by the E. coli bacteria manifests itself by diarrhea often accompanied by blood, abdominal pain and sometimes vomiting which can progress, after about a week, to a severe form of the infection. This manifests itself by great fatigue, pallor and a patient who urinates much less (or not at all), with darker urine. This is called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The patient must be hospitalized quickly and receive appropriate treatment. This disease remains uncommon with between 100 and 165 children recorded each year by Public Health France.

https://www.hauts-de-france.ars.san...ion-de-saint-quentin-point-de-situation-au-19

 

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Severe food poisoning: update as of June 20

Updated on 06/20/2025

The activity of two butcher shops in Saint-Quentin has been suspended as a precaution pending the results of analyses of samples taken and the continuation of investigations with the families of the sick, as well as traceability investigations.

Investigations conducted by Public Health France into the cases of foodborne illness observed since June 12 in the Saint-Quentin metropolitan area have provided initial information. It appears that the sick children consumed meat or meat products from two establishments a few days before the onset of symptoms. It is not possible to confirm at this stage whether the consumption of products from these two establishments was the source of the contamination. Investigations into all cases are continuing.

As a precautionary measure, it was decided to immediately carry out an inspection by the services of the departmental directorate for the protection of populations of the two establishments from which the food consumed came: the butcher's shop "La Direction", boulevard Henri Martin in Saint-Quentin, which concerns 5 children; the butcher's shop "Family", 3 bis boulevard Gambetta in Saint-Quentin, which concerns 1 child.

Samples were taken to search for the causative bacteria. The samples are being sent to the national reference laboratory in Marcy-l'Étoile in the Rhône department for immediate culture. An investigation into the traceability of the meat used at these two establishments is also underway.

We must await the results of this investigation and the results of the analyses, which should be known at the beginning of next week.

However, it was decided to immediately suspend the activity of these establishments by prefectural decree of June 19. This decision is motivated by the risk of persistent bacterial contamination of the premises, equipment and materials or products for several weeks and by the urgency to act in view of the seriousness of the symptoms observed, including one death.

For both butcher shops, reopening is conditional on the results of the investigations and the reassuring evolution of the epidemiological situation.

As a precaution, you are asked to no longer consume food purchased in these two establishments.

As a precaution, the two professionals are withdrawing the sale of foodstuffs and recalling those sold since June [SUP]1[/SUP] .

People who purchased merguez, sausages and lamb meat between June 1 [SUP]and[/SUP] 8 in these two establishments and who have not yet consumed them must refrain from consuming them and are invited to contact the departmental directorate for the protection of populations at ddpp@aisne.gouv.fr or by telephone 03 64 54 61 00, specifying the products concerned, their date of purchase, their storage conditions (refrigerator, freezer), and a telephone number to contact so that samples and analyses can be carried out.

If you or your children have consumed food from these two establishments, it is advisable to monitor your health.

Call 15 immediately in case of bloody diarrhea

If you notice your child has bloody diarrhea, call 15. Person-to-person transmission is possible, especially in the home or in groups of young children.
Hand hygiene measures should therefore be routine in cases of diarrhea.

Hygiene recommendations to prevent the risk of foodborne illness

As with any foodborne illness, prevention involves respecting the following rules:

• Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals.
• Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.
• Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.
• Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
• Cooked meals and leftover food should be refrigerated promptly and reheated thoroughly and consumed promptly.
• Kitchen utensils (especially those that have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly.
• Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).
• Meats must be cooked thoroughly.

HUS, a complication of a bacterial disease

HUS [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome] is an infectious disease most often of food origin that occurs in most cases as a complication of poisoning by a bacterium of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) family. An infection by the E. coli bacteria manifests itself by diarrhea often accompanied by blood, abdominal pain and sometimes vomiting which can progress, after about a week, to a severe form of the infection. This manifests itself by great fatigue, pallor and a patient who urinates much less (or not at all), with darker urine. This is called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The patient must be hospitalized quickly and receive appropriate treatment. This disease remains uncommon with between 100 and 165 children recorded each year by Public Health France.


Download CP - SHU Saint-Quentin - situation report no. 3 PDF - 0.17 Mb - 06/20/2025

https://www.aisne.gouv.fr/Publicati...ntaires-severes-point-de-situation-au-20-juin

 

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Severe food poisoning in the Saint-Quentin area: Update as of June 20 and reminder of recommendations

Updated on 06/20/2025

Situation report

Since June 12, 11 children have been treated for severe digestive symptoms (bloody diarrhea). Six of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), one of whom unfortunately died.

Indeed, since yesterday evening, three new cases have been detected. One in a child living in the Saint-Quentin area and the other in a child living in the Marne department who consumed products from one of the two Saint-Quentin butcher shops whose operations were suspended on June 19. A final case, identified this evening, is currently under investigation.

Government services (ARS, prefecture, DDPP, Public Health France) remain fully mobilized to find the source of the contamination. Investigations are being expanded to include new establishments where samples were taken.

Reminder of recommendations to the population

As a precaution, people are asked to stop consuming food purchased from four butcher shops.

You are asked to no longer consume food purchased in these four establishments: the butcher's shop "La Direction", boulevard Henri Martin in Saint-Quentin; the butcher's shop "Family", 3 bis boulevard Gambetta in Saint-Quentin, the butcher's shop "El Baraka", 52 avenue Robert Schuman in Saint-Quentin and the butcher's shop "La Fayette", 100 rue Raspail in Saint-Quentin.

As a precaution, food products sold since June 1 are being withdrawn and recalled from consumers.

If you have purchased products since June 1st [SUP]from[/SUP] these four establishments:

• Do not consume them.
• If you have kept food of animal origin purchased between June 1st [SUP]and[/SUP] 14th in one of these four butcher shops, contact the departmental directorate for population protection at ddpp@aisne.gouv.fr for possible samples, specifying the products concerned, their date of purchase, their storage method (fresh or frozen) and a telephone number on which you can be contacted by the investigation services.

If you or your children have consumed food from these four establishments: monitor your health.

Call 15 immediately in case of bloody diarrhea

If you notice your child has bloody diarrhea, call 15. Person-to-person transmission is possible, especially in the home or in groups of young children. Hand hygiene measures should therefore be routine in cases of diarrhea.

If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, nor to call 15 as this could overload the emergency services.

If you would like to have information

A public information unit (CIP) will be set up at the Prefecture from Saturday, June 21, 2025. It can be reached at 09 70 80 90 40 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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https://www.aisne.gouv.fr/Publicati...omeration-de-Saint-Quentin-Point-de-situation
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Severe food poisoning in the Saint-Quentin area: New preventive closure and reminder of recommendations

Updated on 06/22/2025

Evolution of the number of cases

Since June 12, 17 children have been treated for severe digestive symptoms (mucous-bloody diarrhea), 8 of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Three new cases were recorded last night; none developed the syndrome.

Four children were able to leave the hospital and return home. All of the children are receiving ongoing medical monitoring.

Update on ongoing investigations

State services (ARS, prefecture, DDPP, Public Health France) are continuing their investigations to find the source of the contamination. As a reminder, analyses are already currently underway for four Saint-Quentin butcher shops, whose activity has been preventively suspended: the butcher shop "La Direction", boulevard Henri Martin; the butcher shop "Family", 3 bis boulevard Gambetta; the butcher shop "El Baraka", 52 avenue Robert Schuman and the butcher shop "La Fayette", 100 rue Raspail. The activity of the butcher's department of the TMS Destock/TMS market supermarket, 4 rue du 19 mars 1962, and that of the butcher's department of the Intermarché de Gauchy, rue Auguste Delaune are also preventively suspended and sampling is underway.

The decision to suspend the activity is made based on investigations conducted into the consumption of each of the poisoned individuals. At this stage, the most likely cause of contamination is meat consumption. However, since the origin of the meat is not yet known, it is necessary to consider all the locations where one or more contaminated individuals consumed the product. The suspension is in effect until the analyses of the samples can remove any doubt or, on the contrary, confirm contamination.

Recommendations

• If you have purchased products from one of these six butcher shops since June 1, do not consume them.
• If you or your children have consumed food from these six establishments, monitor your health.

Call 15 immediately in case of mucous-bloody diarrhea

If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, or call 15.

Reminder of preventive measures

The Regional Health Agency reminds us that person-to-person transmission of bacteria is possible. Handwashing should be routine before preparing meals or after using the toilet. In addition:

• Meats must be cooked thoroughly.
• Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.
• Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
• Kitchen utensils (especially those that have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly.
• Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.
• Cooked meals and leftover food should be refrigerated promptly and reheated thoroughly and consumed promptly.
• Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).

If you would like to have information

A public information unit (CIP) will be set up in the Prefecture from Saturday, June 21, 2025. It can be reached at 09 70 80 90 40 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
...
​https://www.aisne.gouv.fr/Publicati...everes-dans-l-agglomeration-de-Saint-Quentin2
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Serial poisonings in Saint-Quentin. "This is not an epidemic": The presence of E. coli bacteria confirmed

Written by Anas Daif
Published on 06/23/2025 at 11:29 a.m.

The presence of E. coli bacteria in the bodies of children who suffered food poisoning was confirmed by the Minister of Health and Access to Healthcare, Yannick Neuder. He visited the Saint-Quentin Hospital Center on Sunday, June 22, 2025, to meet with hospital staff and victims' families.

"We owe them all the explanations, the whole truth on this subject ," declared the Minister of Health and Access to Healthcare, Yannick Neuder, this Sunday during a visit to the Saint-Quentin hospital (Aisne).

His visit came amid a spate of food poisoning cases that affected 18 children and resulted in the death of one. This tragedy was likely caused by the consumption of meat from the city's butcher shops.

Six establishments, including two butcher departments in supermarkets, have temporarily closed their doors pending test results. The investigation into the source of the contamination is still ongoing.

E. Coli bacteria confirmed by the Minister of Health

During his visit, Yannick Neuder pointed out that the 18 children "contracted a bacterium called Escherichia coli ." He clarified that " this is not an epidemic, it is not a virus, it is really a bacterium that causes bloody diarrhea ," he said.

If you experience any symptoms, you should call 15, consult a doctor, or go to the emergency room. In some cases, neurological or renal complications can occur.

Currently, six children are still receiving dialysis at the Saint-Quentin hospital, as well as at the university hospitals in Amiens, Lille, and Reims . All of them consumed meat from one of the city's butcher shops.

A public information unit in case of questions

The Minister of Health recalled that a telephone number has been set up by the Aisne Prefecture for questions that are not medical in nature. This number is 09 70 80 90 40 , available every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS) notes that " if you have purchased products since June 1st " from one of the six butcher shops concerned , you should not consume it. If this is the case, it is essential to monitor your health and that of your children.

It is also important to wash your hands " before preparing meals or after using the toilet ." The agency reminds us that meat must be cooked thoroughly; vegetables, fruits, and herbs must be thoroughly washed, as must kitchen utensils; and children under five should also not consume products made with raw milk. All hygiene guidelines are available on the ARS website .

With Naïm Moniolle / FTV

https://france3-regions.franceinfo....-de-la-bacterie-e-coli-confirmee-3175728.html

 

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Severe food poisoning: update as of June 23

Updated on 06/23/2025

Evolution of the number of cases

Since June 12, 19 children have been treated for severe digestive symptoms, 8 of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Since the previous press release, two new cases have been recorded. They did not develop the syndrome.

In total, of the 19 children involved, six are receiving dialysis, and ten have been discharged from the hospital and returned home. All of the children are receiving ongoing medical monitoring.

At this stage, health investigations indicate that all the children have in common the fact that they have eaten meat.

Update on ongoing investigations

State services (ARS, prefecture, DDPP, Public Health France) are continuing their investigations to find the origin of the contamination. As a reminder, analyses are underway for six Saint-Quentin butcher shops, whose activity has been preventively suspended: the butcher shop "La Direction", boulevard Henri Martin; the butcher shop "Family", 3 bis boulevard Gambetta; the butcher shop "El Baraka", 52 avenue Robert Schuman and the butcher shop "La Fayette", 100 rue Raspail. The activity of the butcher's department of the TMS Destock/TMS market supermarket, 4 rue du 19 mars 1962, and that of the butcher's department of the Intermarché de Gauchy, rue Auguste Delaune are also preventively suspended and analyses are underway . Food investigations into the origin of the contaminations carried out over the last two days have not identified any new businesses.

The decision to suspend the activity is based on investigations conducted into the consumption of each of the poisoned individuals. At this stage, the most likely cause of contamination is meat consumption; school catering is not targeted in any of the cases identified. However, since the origin of the meat is not yet known, it is necessary to consider all the locations where one or more contaminated individuals consumed food. The suspension is in effect while the analyses of the samples allow us to remove any doubt or, on the contrary, confirm contamination. The results of these analyses are expected by the end of the week.

The Saint-Quentin public prosecutor announced today that a judicial investigation was opened on Thursday, June 19. It is being investigated against X on charges of involuntary manslaughter, unintentional injury, endangering the lives of others, and deception involving merchandise that poses a danger to human life.

Special recommendations

During the "Festival des petits as" sporting event held in Saint-Quentin on June 21st and 22nd, meat from one of the closed butcher shops was consumed. We encourage participants to monitor their health and to call 15 if they experience mucous-filled, bloody diarrhea. The same recommendations apply to the Gauchy mini-basketball festival held on June 21st.

General recommendations

If you have purchased products from one of these six butcher shops since June 1, do not consume them.

If you or your children have consumed food from these six establishments, monitor your health.

Call 15 immediately in case of mucous-bloody diarrhea.

If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, or call 15.

Reminder of preventive measures

The Regional Health Agency reminds us that person-to-person transmission of bacteria is possible. Handwashing should be routine before preparing meals or after using the toilet. In addition:

• Meats must be cooked thoroughly.
• Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.
• Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
• Kitchen utensils (especially those that have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly.
• Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.
• Cooked meals and leftover food should be refrigerated promptly and reheated thoroughly and consumed promptly.
• Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).

If you would like to have information

A public information unit (CIP) will be set up in the Prefecture from Saturday, June 21, 2025. It can be reached at 09 70 80 90 40 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
​
...

https://www.aisne.gouv.fr/Publicati...ntaires-severes-point-de-situation-au-23-juin

 

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Serial poisonings in Saint-Quentin. Dozens of football clubs concerned after the sale of potentially contaminated barbecued food during a tournament

Written by Anas Daif
Published on06/24/2025 at 12:37 p.m.

Nearly forty clubs have been urged to be vigilant following the sale of barbecued meats from one of the butcher shops during a tournament, which was closed due to suspected E. coli contamination. This affected "approximately 400 players" on Saturday, June 21st, and "just over 600 players" on Sunday, June 22nd.


Nearly forty clubs in the region are being asked to closely monitor their players, staff, and guests for possible symptoms of food poisoning after their participation in the "Festival des petits As" sporting event in Saint-Quentin on June 21 and 22. Following the series of food poisoning incidents in the town, the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS) explains that " meat from one of the closed butcher shops was consumed ."

After the announcement was broadcast and Olympique Saint-Quentinois published a Facebook message, many Internet users pointed to a " well-known " health situation at the time the meat was served. " What a scandal! (...) You are putting dozens of children in danger of dying, are you reckless? " read a comment under the post.

The ARS, for its part, indicates that " the same recommendations apply to the Gauchy mini-basketball festival organized on June 21. "

" No grilling on the second day of the tournament "

Thierry Minouflet, secretary general of Olympique Saint-Quentinois and a health manager at the Saint-Quentin hospital, notes that they learned Saturday evening that the butcher's shop where they partly sourced their supplies had been closed following a suspicion of contamination. " We immediately stopped the barbecues and, the next day, we had another day of tournament " without grilling.

No club member had any " doubts " about the two butchers whose products they purchased. Furthermore, " no local authority, whether the town hall or the prefecture, has forbidden us from selling merguez and sausages ." Thierry Minouflet specifies that the teams received a packed lunch, without the meats in question. The grilled meats were available for sale: "given the end-of-season tournaments, for any club, it's also a source of income ."

We reacted responsibly by immediately stopping the barbecues.
Thierry Minouflet
Secretary General of Olympique Saint-Quentinois

" If merguez or sausages were consumed among children, it was a bit marginal, with parents reportedly buying their children a sandwich ," continues Thierry Minouflet.

Faced with the numerous comments that were posted following the announcement, the secretary general asserts that " it is not justified at all. They may think that we are responsible because we sold on the first day, but at the same time, I will not repeat it, we were not given a ban on doing so. We still reacted responsibly by immediately stopping the barbecues " as soon as they learned about the butcher's shop. Analyses are currently underway on the meat sold at the tournament.

If you experience one or more symptoms, it is essential to call 15 or go to the emergency room. For non-medical questions, you can contact the public information unit (CIP) of the Aisne prefecture at 09.70.80.90.40 . This number is available every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Investigation in progress

In total, nineteen children were victims of food poisoning, probably as a result of eating meat from four butcher shops and two supermarkets in Saint-Quentin, which were closed as a precaution by the Aisne prefecture . One of them died.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact source of the E. coli contamination , which caused hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in eight children. Six of them are currently still on dialysis.​

https://france3-regions.franceinfo....t-contaminees-pendant-un-tournoi-3176319.html

 

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Severe food poisoning: update as of June 24

Updated on 06/24/2025

Evolution of the number of cases

Since June 12, 22 cases have been recorded: 21 children and 1 elderly person were treated for severe digestive symptoms, 9 of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Since the last update, 3 new cases have been recorded, including 2 children and 1 elderly person who did not report the syndrome.

Today, 10 people remain hospitalized, including four on dialysis. Eleven have been discharged and returned home. All of the children are receiving ongoing medical monitoring.

Health investigations into the latest cases are ongoing.

Update on ongoing investigations

State services (ARS, prefecture, DDPP, Public Health France) are continuing their investigations to find the source of the contamination. As a reminder, analyses are underway for six Saint-Quentin butcher shops, whose activity has been preventively suspended: the butcher shop "La Direction", boulevard Henri Martin; the butcher shop "Family", 3 bis boulevard Gambetta; the butcher shop "El Baraka", 52 avenue Robert Schuman and the butcher shop "La Fayette", 100 rue Raspail. The activity of the butcher's department of the TMS Destock/TMS market supermarket, 4 rue du 19 mars 1962, and that of the butcher's department of the Intermarché de Gauchy, rue Auguste Delaune are also preventively suspended and analyses are underway. Food investigations into the source of the contamination carried out in recent days have not identified any new businesses.

As a reminder, the decision to suspend activity is taken on the basis of investigations conducted into the consumption of each of the poisoned individuals. At this stage, the most likely cause of contamination is meat consumption. School catering is not targeted in any of the cases identified .

Update on analysis methods

Samples taken from the points of sale are currently being analyzed by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) to identify the possible presence of bacteria and to specify their complete genomic characteristics. Biological samples taken from patients are also being analyzed, initially at the National Reference Center (NRC) laboratory to isolate the bacteria, then at the Pasteur Institute laboratory to carry out its genomic sequencing. This sequencing of bacteria, which requires incompressible time, is essential to be able to compare with certainty the bacteria relating to meat and patients. It is this comparison that will make it possible, if necessary, to confirm a causal link between the presence of a bacterium in meat and the poisoning of a patient. The first results of these consolidated and compared analyses should be known by the end of the week.

Vigilance regarding the sporting events “Festival des petits aces” and “Mini-basketball festival”

During the sporting event "Festival des petits as" organized in Saint-Quentin on June 21 and 22 and the Gauchy mini basketball festival organized on June 21, meat from closed butcher shops was consumed . The clubs that participated in these events or the organizers were contacted and asked to relay to the participants by any means the information, recommendations and preventive measures transmitted by the regional health agency.

As a reminder, we invite participants to monitor their health and to contact 15 in the event of mucous-bloody diarrhea.

General recommendations

If you have purchased products from one of these six butcher shops since June 1, do not consume them.

If you or your children have consumed food from these six establishments, monitor your health.

Call 15 immediately if you have bloody, mucousy diarrhea. If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, or call 15.

Preventive measures

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) is calling on anyone who has purchased meat from one of the affected butcher shops to clean their refrigerators as soon as the meat has been stored there. This cleaning can be done with soapy water, for example, followed by rinsing with slightly bleached water. If using a sponge, disinfect it first, using bleached water or heat. Generally speaking, cleaning the refrigerator is recommended as soon as it becomes dirty or on a regular basis (ANSES recommendations).

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) reminds us that HUS is not a virus; it is the result of bacteriological contamination. Transmission is overwhelmingly through food. However, it can still be transmitted hand-to-hand, hence the importance of hygiene practices.

Children and vulnerable people (elderly people, immunocompromised people) are also particularly exposed to the risk of severe poisoning.

Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals or after using the toilet.
Generally speaking:

• Meats must be cooked thoroughly.

• Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.

• Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

• Kitchen utensils (especially those that have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly.

• Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.

• Cooked meals and leftover food should be refrigerated promptly and reheated thoroughly and consumed promptly.

• Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).

If you would like to have information
A public information unit (CIP) will be set up in the Prefecture from Saturday, June 21, 2025. It can be reached at 09 70 80 90 40 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
​
...
https://www.aisne.gouv.fr/Publicati...fbclid=IwY2xjawLH0llleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBm VkNnelhTM3JodkNhYU9pAR6CIhegBteBQ7g1AlvzyHI5GpGNYP yMs

 

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Translation Google​

Aisne: three new cases of E. coli poisoning, including an elderly person

By AFP on 06/24/2025 at 9:06 p.m.

Three new cases of food poisoning linked to the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, involving two children and an elderly person, were announced on Tuesday by the Aisne prefecture, bringing the number of people affected to 22 so far.

This is the first time an elderly person has been affected since the first cases appeared in the Saint-Quentin metropolitan area on June 12. The other 21 cases involve children, including a 12-year-old girl who died on June 16.

These three new cases compared to the previous update on Monday did not develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication affecting the kidneys and requiring dialysis treatment, the prefecture specified.

To date, "ten people remain hospitalized, four of whom are receiving dialysis. Eleven have been able to leave the hospital and return home," she added. All of the children are receiving "continuous medical monitoring."

Investigations to find the origin of the contamination continue.

Suspecting a foodborne illness linked to meat, authorities have since last week preemptively closed four halal butcher shops and two supermarket meat departments in the Saint-Quentin metropolitan area. Samples are still being collected from these outlets.

Food investigations into the origin of the contamination carried out in recent days "have not revealed any new businesses," the prefecture further emphasized.

Meat from now-closed establishments was served at the Festival des Petits As football tournament, held Saturday and Sunday in Saint-Quentin, as well as at a mini-basketball party on Saturday in Gauchy, a neighboring town.

The new cases of contamination announced on Tuesday have no connection with these two sporting events, a spokesperson for the prefecture told AFP.

In parallel with the health investigation, a preliminary investigation against unknown persons was opened last week by the Saint-Quentin public prosecutor's office for involuntary manslaughter, involuntary injury, endangering the lives of others and deception regarding goods presenting a danger to human life.

https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/san...cation-a-e-coli-dont-une-personne-agee_186621

 

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Translation Google​
Severe food poisoning in the Saint-Quentin area: situation updates

News
June 26, 2025

Since June 12, cases of mucus-laced, bloody diarrhea have been reported in children living in Saint-Quentin (02) or the surrounding area. Some of these children have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The ARS, the prefecture, the DDPP, and SPF are fully mobilized to find the source of the contamination. Call 15 immediately in case of mucus-laced, bloody diarrhea.

Update on June 26 and recommendations to the population

Since June 12, 25 cases have been recorded: 24 children and 1 elderly person were treated for severe digestive symptoms, 9 of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Since the last update, 2 new cases of children have been recorded. They have not reported the syndrome and are being monitored at home.

All government departments are working to conduct investigations with families as quickly as possible to determine the food intake of the latest known cases.

Today, 10 people remain hospitalized and 14 have been discharged and returned home . All patients are under ongoing medical supervision. As a reminder, the first digestive symptoms related to the presence of the E. coli bacteria can appear within 10 days after consuming the contaminated food.

Update on ongoing investigations

State services (ARS, prefecture, DDPP, Public Health France) are continuing their investigations to find the origin of the contamination. As part of these investigations, all leads are being explored, analyzed, and reported back to ensure that no possible source of contamination is ruled out. As a reminder, analyses are underway for six Saint-Quentin butcher shops, whose activity has been preventively suspended: the “La Direction” butcher shop, boulevard Henri Martin; the “Family” butcher shop, 3 bis boulevard Gambetta; the “El Baraka” butcher shop, 52 avenue Robert Schuman; and the “La Fayette” butcher shop, 100 rue Raspail. The activity of the butcher department of the TMS Destock/TMS market supermarket, 4 rue du 19 mars 1962, and that of the butcher department of the Intermarché de Gauchy, rue Auguste Delaune are also preventively suspended and analyses are underway. Food investigations into the origin of contamination carried out in recent days have not revealed any new businesses.

As a reminder, the decision to suspend activity was made based on investigations conducted into the consumption of each of the poisoned individuals. At this stage, the most likely cause of contamination is meat consumption. School catering is not targeted in any of the cases identified.

The judicial investigation opened on June 19 is ongoing. Given the number of victims and the technical complexity of the expected investigations, the Saint-Quentin prosecutor's office has relinquished responsibility to the public health division of the Paris prosecutor's office. The investigations have been entrusted to Oclaesp (Central Office for Combating Environmental and Public Health Attacks), the BNEVP (National Brigade for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Investigations), and the Saint-Quentin police station.

Update on analysis methods

Samples taken from the points of sale are currently being analyzed by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) to identify the possible presence of bacteria and to specify their complete genomic characteristics. Biological samples taken from patients are also being analyzed, initially at the National Reference Center (NRC) laboratory to isolate the bacteria, then at the Pasteur Institute laboratory to carry out its genomic sequencing. This sequencing of bacteria is essential to be able to compare with certainty the bacteria relating to meat and patients. It is this comparison that will make it possible, if necessary, to confirm a causal link between the presence of a bacterium in meat and the poisoning of a patient.

Both the LNR and CNR laboratories are working to obtain initial results as quickly as possible. In addition to the logistical time required to collect samples, several steps are necessary to obtain essential information on the characteristics and identity of the bacteria: confirming infection by the bacteria; culturing the bacteria in an incubator; isolating the bacteria in question from among the billions present in the body; and then sequencing the bacteria's genome.

The first samples submitted for analysis concern the first identified case, for which results are expected this weekend. Results for the other cases will be available in the following days.

Alert regarding 3 events organized in Saint-Quentin

State services have been informed of three events organized in recent days during which meat from closed butcher shops was consumed:

- The “Festival des petits as” football tournament held in Saint-Quentin on June 21 and 22;
- The Gauchy mini-basketball festival held on June 21;
- The Etaves-et-Bocquiaux school fair on June 20.

The participating teams or organizers of these events have been contacted and asked to relay to participants by any means the information, recommendations, and preventive measures provided by the regional health agency. No cases of severe food poisoning among participants in these events have been reported to date.

As a reminder, we invite participants to monitor their health and to contact 15 in the event of mucous-bloody diarrhea.

General recommendations

If you have purchased products from one of these six butcher shops since June 1st, do not consume them. If you or your children have consumed food from these six establishments, monitor your health. Call 15 immediately if you experience mucous-filled, bloody diarrhea. If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, nor to call 15.

Preventive measures

The ARS is calling on people who have purchased meat from one of the butcher shops concerned to clean their refrigerators as soon as it has been stored there. This cleaning can be done with soapy water, for example, followed by rinsing with slightly bleached water. If using a sponge, disinfect it first, with bleached water or heat. Generally speaking, cleaning the refrigerator is recommended as soon as it becomes dirty or on a regular basis (ANSES recommendations). More information here: How to ensure food hygiene in your refrigerator? | ANSES - French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) reminds us that HUS is not a virus; it is the result of bacteriological contamination.
Transmission is overwhelmingly through food. However, it is still possible to spread "hand to hand," hence the importance of hygiene practices. Children and vulnerable people (the elderly, immunocompromised individuals) are particularly at risk of severe poisoning.

Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals or after using the toilet.
Generally speaking:

- Meats must be cooked thoroughly.
- Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.
- Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
- Kitchen utensils (especially when they have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be thoroughly washed.
- Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.
- Cooked meals and leftover food should be quickly refrigerated and sufficiently reheated and consumed quickly.
- Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).

If you would like to have information

A public information unit (CIP) will be set up in the Prefecture from Saturday, June 21, 2025. It can be reached at 09 70 80 90 40 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

...
https://www.hauts-de-france.ars.san...meration-de-saint-quentin-points-de-situation

 

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Translation Google​

Poisonings in Aisne: How the Pasteur Institute is working to determine the origin of cases

The Paris Public Health Unit took charge of the investigation into the poisonings in the Aisne region on
Wednesday, June 25. The analyses are being conducted by the Pasteur Institute.

Jérôme Florin - edited by Guillaume Dosda
published on 06/27/2025 at 07:55

Since the first cases appeared in the Saint-Quentin metropolitan area on June 12, 22 children and one elderly person have contracted the Escherichia coli (also known as E. coli) bacteria. A teenage girl, Élise, died on June 16. While the Paris prosecutor's office has been notified, the Pasteur Institute is conducting the analyses.

On RTL, François-Xavier Weill, head of the National Reference Centre for Escherichia coli, explained that it is indeed this bacterium that is the cause of the poisoning : "It is not the Escherichia coli that everyone has in their digestive tract. It is an Escherichia coli that is very pathogenic and which has a different reservoir, since it is the digestive tract of ruminants."

"There is the Robert Debré hospital, which will confirm that it is indeed enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, and above all, it will have to isolate it from among the billions of Escherichia coli in the digestive tract," he continued. He added: "Once we have isolated it, we will be able to sequence it and really know which strain in particular it is."

If cases of poisoning are still occurring, it is because there is a "fairly long incubation period ," the researcher explained: "You have people who may have been contaminated before the closure measures and who are reporting it afterward." "For the general public, the most important thing is to know that there are no longer any sources of infection," concluded François-Xavier Weill.

https://www.rtl.fr/actu/justice-fai...-pour-determiner-l-origine-des-cas-7900519627

 

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Severe food poisoning: update as of June 27

Updated on 06/27/2025

Evolution of the number of cases

Since June 12, 26 cases have been recorded: 25 children and 1 elderly person were treated for severe digestive symptoms, 10 of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Since the last update, a new case of HUS has been recorded. This is a child residing in Île-de-France who has stayed in the Saint-Quentin region several times in recent weeks.

All government departments are working to conduct investigations with families as quickly as possible to determine the food intake of the latest known cases.

Today, 11 people remain hospitalized and 14 have been discharged and returned home. All patients are receiving ongoing medical monitoring.

As a reminder, the first digestive symptoms linked to the presence of the E. Coli bacteria can appear within 10 days after consuming the contaminated food.

Update on ongoing investigations and analyses

At this stage, investigations and analyses continue to point towards a close epidemiological link between butcher shops identified and closed as a precaution and the first cases.

In fact, in the first results of the analyses obtained, traces of contamination by the E.Coli bacteria were detected in the meat or on the surfaces of some of the butcher shops that were investigated.

The results being negative for the butcher's department of the Intermarché in Gauchy, rue Auguste Delaune, it will be able to resume its activity after having carried out the preliminary operations.

The following establishments remain closed: the butcher's shop "La Direction", boulevard Henri Martin; the butcher's shop "Family", 3 bis boulevard Gambetta; the butcher's shop "El Baraka", 52 avenue Robert Schuman and the butcher's shop "La Fayette", 100 rue Raspail. The butcher's department of the TMS Destock/TMS market supermarket, 4 rue du 19 mars 1962, remains open.

The authorities continue to conduct analyses. The investigation is therefore continuing and the next elements will be transmitted to the judicial authorities in charge of the investigation.

Given the number of victims and the technical nature of the expected investigations, the Saint-Quentin prosecutor's office has relinquished responsibility to the public health unit of the Paris prosecutor's office. The investigations have been entrusted to Oclaesp (Central Office for Combating Environmental and Public Health Attacks), the BNEVP (National Brigade for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Investigations), and the Saint-Quentin police station.

Alert regarding 3 events organized in Saint-Quentin

State services have been informed of three events organized in recent days during which meat from closed butcher shops was consumed:

• The “Festival des petits as” football tournament organized in Saint-Quentin on June 21 and 22;

• The Gauchy mini basketball festival organized on June 21;

• The Etaves-et-Bocquiaux school fair on June 20.

The participating teams or organizers of these events have been contacted and asked to relay to participants by any means the information, recommendations, and preventive measures provided by the regional health agency. No cases of severe food poisoning among participants in these events have been reported to date.

As a reminder, we invite participants to monitor their health and to contact 15 in the event of mucous-bloody diarrhea.

General recommendations

If you have purchased products since June 1st [SUP]from[/SUP] one of these five butcher shops that remain closed, do not consume them.

If you or your children have consumed food from these six establishments, monitor your health.

Call 15 immediately if you have bloody, mucousy diarrhea. If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, or call 15.

Preventive measures

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) is calling on anyone who has purchased meat from one of the affected butcher shops to clean their refrigerators as soon as the meat has been stored there. This cleaning can be done with soapy water, for example, followed by rinsing with slightly bleached water. If using a sponge, disinfect it first, using bleached water or heat. Generally speaking, cleaning the refrigerator is recommended as soon as it becomes dirty or on a regular basis (ANSES recommendations).

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) reminds us that HUS is not a virus; it is the result of bacteriological contamination. Transmission is overwhelmingly through food. However, it can still be transmitted hand-to-hand, hence the importance of hygiene practices.

Children and vulnerable people (elderly people, immunocompromised people) are also particularly exposed to the risk of severe poisoning.

Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals or after using the toilet.

Generally speaking:

• Meats must be cooked thoroughly.

• Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.

• Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

• Kitchen utensils (especially those that have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly.

• Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.

• Cooked meals and leftover food should be refrigerated promptly and reheated thoroughly and consumed promptly.

• Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).

If you would like to have information

A public information unit (CIP) has been set up at the Prefecture and can be reached on Saturday and Sunday at 06 70 45 71 90 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
...

https://www.aisne.gouv.fr/Publicati...ntaires-severes-point-de-situation-au-27-juin
​

 

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Translation Google​
Severe food poisoning in the Saint-Quentin area_ Update of June 29

Press release
June 30, 2025

Update as of June 29 and reminder of recommendations.

Since June 12, 29 cases have been recorded (28 children and 1 elderly person), 10 of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Since the last update, one new child case has been recorded. He did not develop the syndrome and has returned home, as is now the case for all children treated at the Saint-Quentin hospital.

As of June 29, 7 patients remain hospitalized.

According to the investigations, the last two cases are the result of contamination between people within the family circle. This type of contamination, called "secondary," is explained by the transmission by hands of bacteria present in the stools of sick people. This is the reason why it most often occurs within the same home and in the presence of young children for whom it is more difficult to apply hygiene rules. Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals or after using the toilet. As a reminder, the first digestive symptoms linked to the presence of the E. coli bacteria can appear within 10 days after consuming the contaminated food.

Alert regarding 3 events organized in Saint-Quentin

State services have been informed of three events organized in recent days during which meat from closed butcher shops was consumed:

- The “Festival des petits as” football tournament held in Saint-Quentin on June 21 and 22;
- The Gauchy mini-basketball festival held on June 21;
- The Etaves-et-Bocquiaux school fair on June 20.

The participating teams or organizers of these events have been contacted and asked to relay to participants by any means the information, recommendations, and preventive measures provided by the regional health agency. No cases of severe food poisoning among participants in these events have been reported to date.

As a reminder, we invite participants to monitor their health and to contact 15 in the event of mucous-bloody diarrhea.

General recommendations

If you have purchased products since June 1st from one of these five butcher shops that remain closed, do not consume them. If you have frozen meat purchased from one of the five butcher shops between June 6th and 10th, do not consume it (cold does not kill bacteria) and contact the Prefecture at 06 70 45 71 90 or the departmental directorate for population protection at ddpp@aisne.gouv.fr . This meat could, if necessary, be analyzed and thus contribute to the investigation.

If you or your children have consumed food from these establishments, monitor your health. Call 15 immediately in case of mucous-bloody diarrhea. If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, nor to call 15.

Preventive measures

The ARS is calling on people who have purchased meat from one of the butcher shops concerned to clean their refrigerators as soon as it has been stored there. This cleaning can be done with soapy water, for example, followed by rinsing with slightly bleached water. If using a sponge, disinfect it first, with bleached water or heat. Generally speaking, cleaning the refrigerator is recommended as soon as it becomes dirty or on a regular basis (ANSES recommendations). More information here: How to ensure food hygiene in your refrigerator? | ANSES - French National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) reminds us that HUS is not a virus; it is the result of bacteriological contamination.
Transmission is overwhelmingly through food. However, it is still possible to spread "hand to hand," hence the importance of hygiene practices. Children and vulnerable people (the elderly, immunocompromised individuals) are particularly at risk of severe poisoning.

Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals or after using the toilet.

Generally speaking:
- Meats must be cooked thoroughly.
- Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw.
- Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
- Kitchen utensils (especially when they have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be thoroughly washed.
- Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products.
- Cooked meals and leftover food should be quickly refrigerated and sufficiently reheated and consumed quickly.
- Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).

If you would like to have information

A public information unit (CIP) will be set up in the Prefecture from Saturday, June 21, 2025. It can be reached at 09 70 80 90 40 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

​https://www.hauts-de-france.ars.san...glomeration-de-saint-quentin-point-du-29-juin

 

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Translation Google​

Food poisoning in Aisne: 30th case recorded, crucial result expected Wednesday

by AS with AFP
Published today at 11:54 a.m.
...
A list that is growing as the days go by. Since June 12, thirty people have been victims of poisoning linked to the E.coli bacteria in Aisne, including the 11-year-old child who died , Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Tuesday, July 1.

The Saint-Quentin prosecutor's office, which had opened a preliminary investigation into the charges of "involuntary homicide", "involuntary injury", "endangerment" and "deception aggravated by endangering human health", relinquished jurisdiction on June 25 in favor of the public health division of the Paris prosecutor's office, given the number of victims and the complexity of the investigations.

29 children and one elderly person infected

"Thirty cases were reported to us during the epidemiological investigation," Laure Beccuau said on RTL.(new window), specifying that "each case which now appears in a hospital center is identified and analyzed."

Among the 30 cases are 29 children, including Elise, who died on June 16 at the age of 11, and a 73-year-old. The prosecutor said the youngest child affected was an 11-month-old female baby. She said that as of Monday, "there were still seven people hospitalized ," but that several would be able to be discharged "in the coming days ," while "a number of people remain under home surveillance."

Two investigations, one of epidemiological health and one of judicial investigations, are being conducted in parallel and will "have links between them ," explained Ms. Beccuau.

To see if the victims were contaminated by the same bacteria

The prosecutor indicated that she expects the more precise results of the sequencing of the bacteria's genome "probably on Wednesday." This scientific procedure consists of defining "almost the fingerprint of this bacteria ," which "will allow us to determine with certainty that all the victims were contaminated with the same bacteria." "Then, we will compare these same genome sequencing of the bacteria with the samples that we took in the butcher shops" targeted, she explained.

"E. coli bacteria are found everywhere. Every individual even has them in their intestines. The difficulty is that there are E. coli bacteria that are said to be pathogenic" and that cause poisoning, the prosecutor added.

The magistrate did not rule out other cases if people defrost and consume previously purchased meat, specifying that the time "for symptoms to develop and appear is between ten and fifteen days."

The prosecutor stressed that the last two cases were linked to "secondary contamination, through the hands. That is to say, an infected person had to (...) leave the toilet without washing their hands properly, and hold the hands of another person who would then be contaminated."

https://www.tf1info.fr/justice-fait...esultat-crucial-attendu-mercredi-2380196.html

 

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Severe food poisoning in the Saint-Quentin area_ Update from July 2

Press release
July 3, 2025

Update as of July 2 and preventive measures

Epidemiological situation

Since the last update on July 1, no new cases have been reported. Thirty cases have been recorded to date (29 children and 1 elderly person), 10 of whom developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). One child has died.

First results of biological analyses

The first results of the analyses carried out by genomic sequencing by the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) and the National Reference Center (NRC) of the Pasteur Institute provide irrefutable proof of a correspondence between the bacteria found in several butcher shops or in the meat they sold and the bacteria found on several patients. These results make it possible to establish a formal biological link between the place of supply and the contamination of the patients.

Sample analyses will continue for all butcher shops and each of the identified cases. These analyses will complement these initial results.

The results were communicated to the Paris prosecutor's office in charge of the judicial investigation which will help identify those responsible.

Results of the epidemiological survey

Since June 17 and the identification of the first cases of severe food poisoning in the Saint-Quentin area, teams from Public Health France, the Hauts-de-France regional health agency and the Aisne departmental directorate for population protection have been conducting an investigation to identify the source of the contamination of the patients.

Dozens of interviews were conducted with the families and friends of all the patients to trace all possible sources of exposure to the E. coli bacteria, and in particular the foods consumed during the week preceding the first symptoms. These in-depth investigations made it possible to quickly identify meat consumption as a common feature among the different patients, and to identify the sources of the food consumed.

As a precautionary measure, the prefecture ordered the administrative closure of six butcher shops between June 19 and 22. Food surveys conducted since then, as new cases were confirmed, have continued to point to the consumption of products purchased in one or more of these butcher shops as a common source of contamination.

The first samples taken in the six establishments formally excluded the Intermarché Gauchy department as a possible source of contamination.

The identification of common patterns of consumption among the patients, as well as the absence of new cases with recent symptoms for several days, have reinforced the targeted sources of contamination. The results of genomic sequencing confirm the formal biological link of contamination between the supply sites and the patients.

These findings confirm that the management measures put in place, and in particular the closure of several establishments, have been decisive in protecting the health and safety of consumers.

The Prefect of Aisne and the Director General of the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency extend their sincere thanks to all the teams in the health services and government departments who are working intensively to care for patients, conduct epidemiological and administrative investigations, and respond to questions from the public.

General recommendations

If you have frozen products purchased since June 1st in one of these five butcher shops that remain closed, do not consume them and throw them away (cold does not kill bacteria) : the butcher shop "La Direction", boulevard Henri Martin; the butcher shop "Family", 3 bis boulevard Gambetta; the butcher shop "El Baraka", 52 avenue Robert Schuman and the butcher shop "La Fayette", 100 rue Raspail. The activity of the butcher department of the TMS Destock/TMS market supermarket, 4 rue du 19 mars 1962.

If you or your children have consumed food from these establishments, monitor your health.

Call 15 immediately if you have mucus-filled, bloody diarrhea . If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, or call 15.

Preventive measures

The ARS is calling on people who have purchased meat from one of the butcher shops concerned to clean their refrigerators as soon as it has been stored there . This cleaning can be done with soapy water, for example, then by rinsing with slightly bleached water.

If using a sponge, disinfect it first, with bleached water or heat.

Generally speaking, cleaning the refrigerator is recommended as soon as it becomes dirty or on a regular basis (ANSES recommendations).

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) reminds us that HUS is not a virus; it is the result of bacteriological contamination.

Transmission is overwhelmingly through food. However, it can still be transmitted hand-to-hand, hence the importance of hygiene practices.

Children and vulnerable people (elderly people, immunocompromised people) are also particularly exposed to the risk of severe poisoning.

Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals or after using the toilet.

In general:
- Meat must be cooked thoroughly;
- Vegetables, fruits and aromatic herbs must be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw;
- Raw foods must be kept separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods;
- Kitchen utensils (especially when they have been in contact with raw foods), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly;
- Children under 5 years of age must not consume products made from raw milk;
- Cooked meals and leftover food must be quickly refrigerated and sufficiently reheated and consumed quickly;
- Children must not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).


https://www.hauts-de-france.ars.san...meration-de-saint-quentin-point-du-02-juillet
​

 

[Pathfinder]

Severe food poisoning: update as of July 5

Updated on 05/07/2025

Download CP_SHU Saint-Quentin - situation report no. 16 PDF - 0.12 Mb - 05/07/2025
Download Infographic Food Poisoning PDF - 0.58 Mb - 05/07/2025

---

Epidemiological situation

Since the last update on Wednesday, July 2, two new cases have been reported (two children from the same family, one of whom is hospitalized). According to initial investigations, this appears to be a case of contamination within the same family linked to the consumption of meat in one of the five butcher shops that have been closed.

New cases may indeed be recorded, even after the butcher shops have closed, for two reasons:

• diagnosis may occur several days after the onset of symptoms;
• Contamination can be observed between people. This type of contamination, called "secondary," is explained by the transmission by hands of bacteria present in the stools of sick people. This is the reason why it most often occurs within the same home and in the presence of young children for whom it is more difficult to strictly apply hygiene rules.

General recommendations

Under these circumstances, we recommend vigilance regarding hygiene within the home. Handwashing should be routine before preparing meals or after using the restroom. See the attached infographic.

If you have frozen products purchased since June 1st [SUP]in[/SUP] one of these five butcher shops that remain closed, do not consume them and throw them away (cold does not kill bacteria) : the butcher shop "La Direction", boulevard Henri Martin; the butcher shop "Family", 3 bis boulevard Gambetta; the butcher shop "El Baraka", 52 avenue Robert Schuman and the butcher shop "La Fayette", 100 rue Raspail. The activity of the butcher department of the TMS Destock/TMS market supermarket, 4 rue du 19 mars 1962.

If you or your children have consumed food from these establishments, monitor your health.

Call 15 immediately if you have bloody, mucousy diarrhea. If you or your children have no symptoms, there is no need to contact or consult a doctor, or call 15.

Preventive measures

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) is calling on anyone who has purchased meat from one of the five affected butcher shops to clean their refrigerators once it has been stored there. This cleaning can be done with soapy water, for example, followed by rinsing with a little bleach. If using a sponge, disinfect it first, either with bleach or heat.

Generally speaking, cleaning the refrigerator is recommended as soon as it becomes dirty or on a regular basis (ANSES recommendations).

The ARS (Regional Health Agency) reminds us that HUS is not a virus; it is the result of bacteriological contamination. Transmission is overwhelmingly through food. However, it can still be transmitted hand-to-hand, hence the importance of hygiene practices.

Children and vulnerable people (elderly people, immunocompromised people) are also particularly exposed to the risk of severe poisoning.

Hand washing should be systematic before preparing meals or after using the toilet.

Generally speaking:

• • Meats must be cooked thoroughly;
  • Vegetables, fruits and herbs should be washed thoroughly, especially when eaten raw;
  • Raw foods should be stored separately from cooked or ready-to-eat foods;
  • Kitchen utensils (especially when they have previously been in contact with raw food), as well as work surfaces, must be washed thoroughly;
  • Children under 5 years old should not consume raw milk products;
  • Cooked meals and leftover food should be promptly refrigerated and sufficiently reheated and consumed quickly;
  • Children should not drink untreated water (well water, stream water, etc.) and avoid swallowing it when swimming (lake, pond, etc.).

---

​https://www.aisne.gouv.fr/Publicati...aires-severes-point-de-situation-au-5-juillet

 

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Translation Google

Escherichia coli food poisoning: update on the epidemiological situation

News
09.07.2025

Epidemiological news​

Since June 6, 2025, the Saint-Quentin metropolitan area (Aisne, Hauts-de-France) has been affected by severe food poisoning, mainly among children, caused by the Escherichia coli bacterium . A look back at the timeline of events, the epidemiological situation, and the role of the Pasteur Institute in this health crisis.

What is the precise origin of the severe digestive problems that began to appear in Saint-Quentin and its surrounding areas on June 6? Since then, this is the question that health authorities have been trying to answer. As of July 5, this health alert had caused 32 cases of food poisoning . Among these 32 people, ten developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, extreme fatigue with pallor, urinary problems, etc. The first digestive symptoms generally appear three to four days and, more rarely, up to ten days after the consumption of the contaminated food. HUS causes damage to red blood cells and the kidneys, and can cause death. A young girl unfortunately died on June 16.

While several points still remain to be clarified, a certain number of elements have already been established.

The Escherichia coli bacteria is the cause of poisoning

• The poisoning is bacteriological in nature, not viral, and is caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli . Among this family of bacteria, only those producing a particular toxin (Shiga toxin) and called enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (or EHEC) are responsible for these severe infections.
• Transmission generally occurs via contaminated food, but human-to-human transmission is possible via the hands (handling), hence the importance of hygiene measures (hand washing).
• Children, especially those under 5 years old, as well as vulnerable people (elderly, immunocompromised) are particularly exposed to severe forms of EHEC infections.

The pathogenic bacteria was not in the water, but in the meat

• The tap water, the swimming pool water and the town water in Gauchy were checked and declared compliant, not being the source of contamination.
• The consumption of meat from certain different butchers is the cause of contamination at this stage of the investigations.

A formal link between the bacteria found in certain butcher shops and those found on several patients

Sequencing of the bacterial genome confirmed that the bacteria found in these butcher shops (and in the meat from these butcher shops) and those of the sick people were identical .

The Pasteur Institute analyzes bacteria from patients and identifies the offending bacteria

Further analyses of other samples are also underway. Several elements remain unresolved regarding this health alert, as it requires a complex epidemiological investigation. It involves several stakeholders:

• The Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS) and Public Health France (SpF) are leading the field survey through interviews with sick people or their loved ones. The goal is to identify foods, places, or events shared by the sick, to implement initial preventive measures, and to inform the local population.
• The Aisne prefecture, responsible for managing crisis response locally and implementing preventive and management measures, such as closing butcher shops.
• The health crisis center of the General Directorate of Health of the Ministry responsible for health and access to care, in charge of coordination between its regional operators (ARS), national health agencies (Public Health France, Pasteur Institute) and interministerial actors such as the General Directorate of Food (DGAl) and the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES).
• The Aisne public prosecutor's office and then the Paris public prosecutor's office, in charge of the judicial investigation.
• The Laboratory for the Study of Pathogenic Food Microorganisms/National Reference Laboratory (LMAP/LNR) Escherichia coli and approved laboratories analyze samples taken by the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP) and the DGAl at points of sale/food businesses, to determine the origin of contaminated food.
• The National Escherichia coli Reference Center analyzes samples taken from patients to confirm the presence of the EHEC bacteria and sequence its genome.

More specifically, these latest analyses include two stages. The first stage is carried out at the laboratory associated with the CNR (Robert Debré Hospital, Paris). It confirms that these infections are indeed caused by EHEC bacteria and allows for the isolation of the incriminated bacteria for each patient in order to separate it from the very numerous non-pathogenic Escherichia coli that are naturally found in the human digestive system. This first phase of the analysis lasts four to six days. The second stage, carried out at the Pasteur Institute, leads to the sequencing of the bacteria's genome. A bioinformatics analysis is then carried out in order to obtain a genetic identity card for these bacteria. It is this genome analysis that will make it possible to compare the bacteria from the patients and those potentially found in food, and to confirm a causal link. The preparation of the sequencing, its implementation and the analysis of its results require four to five days.
More generally, the CNRs, which involve 19 laboratories of the Pasteur Institute, as well as the close collaboration between the different health authorities are absolutely essential in the management of food crises of this type, as was the case in 2022 during the episode of frozen pizzas contaminated with Escherichia coli , during the botulism poisoning in September 2023 , and as is the case for the current crisis.

For more information on these food poisonings, consult the situation updates from the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency

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[TD="bgcolor: #f3f3f3"]When Escherichia coli bacteria cause hemolytic uremic syndrome

Escherichia coli is a bacterium that naturally resides in the digestive tract of humans and animals. Although most strains are harmless, some possess virulence factors and are pathogenic.

Which strains of Escherichia coli are dangerous to humans?

The most concerning strains are enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). These bacteria possess a gene that codes for a highly potent toxin called Shiga toxin, which is responsible for a severe infection known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

What are the modes of transmission?

EHEC is transmitted mainly through the consumption of contaminated food (undercooked meat, raw dairy products, contaminated vegetables) or through direct contact with animals or a carrier.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of EHEC infection usually appear three to four days after infection, sometimes up to ten days. They include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea that is initially watery and then bloody. Fever may sometimes be present.

What are the possible complications?

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) affects approximately 5 to 10% of infections, especially in children. It can lead to acute kidney failure and other serious illnesses within a week of the onset of digestive symptoms.

How to prevent infection and what are the treatments?

Prevention of EHEC infections relies on strict hygiene practices throughout the food chain, from producer to consumer. Hand washing before food preparation and proper cooking of food are essential. Most antibiotics are contraindicated; management is based on symptomatic treatment and monitoring for complications.[/TD]
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For complete information on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, see our disease fact sheet.


https://www.pasteur.fr/fr/journal-r...herichia-coli-point-situation-epidemiologique
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