Serious food poisoning has affected eight children in recent days. One of them died on Wednesday June 19. The inhabitants are called to the greatest vigilance while the origin of the infections is still unknown.
It is a serious and worrying affair that affects the inhabitants, and especially the children, of Saint-Quentin, in Aisne. A twelve -year -old child died following food poisoning. Seven other children were infected with the same evil, according to Nathalie de Pouvourville, director of health security at ARS in Hauts-de-France. They were all affected by a shiga-toxine. Currently, six of them are hospitalized, including four in a worrying state. As for the last, he is followed at home. “Four children have serious complications after this infection,” said the doctor. According to Public Health France France, among the characteristic symptoms, there are bloody diarrhea, sometimes vomiting, “signs of great fatigue”, a decrease in urine “and sometimes convulsions”. “Five of them have developed hemolytic and uremic syndrome (Shu), one of which is unfortunately deceased.”
An investigation is underway to determine the link between these eight children and their respective infections. “What we know at this time is that all children live in Saint-Quentin or in the surrounding area, they did not attend from common community, they did not attend restaurants or collective catering in common, they did not have water or meal in common,” detailed Nathalie de Pouvourville. Schooled in different places, the investigation seems more complex than expected. The objective of current investigations is to highlight the common vector of infection, a food, a place of restoration or a place of purchase, for example.
“The health control carried out on June 17 confirms the absence of bacteriological contamination of tap water: tap water is therefore consumable,” said the prefecture of Aisne. Friday, June 20, we still do not know the origin of these poisoning. This is why it is necessary to adopt strict food hygiene practices. If the water track is therefore removed, that of meat may well be the right one. Several butchers have been closed administratively in Saint-Quentin, according to the New Aisne, and will remain so until the analyzes carried out on site.
Some tips for reducing the risk of poisoning
In Saint-Quentin, in the Hauts-de-France, Frédérique Macarez, the mayor of the city, calls on the parents of children to be extremely vigilant, reports the local media here. “In case of doubt”, it is imperative to call “15 and the Saint-Quentin hospital”, explains the mayor. In particular in the event of “soft and mucous stools with traces of blood”. The mayor also calls on the inhabitants of the city to wash their hands well before cooking and using clean utensils. Residents are also asked to rinse the vegetables and fruits well, and to cook the meat well.
Latest updates
12:55 – A boot launched
Elise, 11 years old, died because of food poisoning that still affects seven children. His gym club, reached by the news, launched a kitty to support his family. His parents are vice-president and computer manager of the club. “A young passionate gymnast, dismissed in our club since these first years of life, Elise left us brutally, leaving behind an immense emptiness in the heart of her family, her friends and the club of Saint-Quentin Gymnastique”, can be read from the club on Facebook. It is impossible to see the amount collected, but for the moment, 171 people have participated.
11:34 – Several closed butchers
Would poisoning come from meat? Several butchers of Saint-Quentin were closed administratively, Thursday, June 19, according to Aisne Nouvelle. They will be up to the return of the analyzes.
10:35 – What links have these children?
Eight children were contaminated and one of them died. It is therefore important to identify the common factor between these children so that it only happens again. But “we are on a slightly more complex case of investigation, there is no evidence on these subjects”, specifies Eloi Goullieux, head of service at the Samu of Aisne. Indeed, they all live in Saint-Quentin or in the surroundings, but “did not attend joint community, they did not attend restaurants or collective catering in common, they did not have water or joint meals,” explains Nathalie de Pouvourville, director of health security at ARS in Hauts-de-France. Children are not educated in the same schools.