One child dead, six hospitalized: what we know about severe food poisoning in Aisne

One victim, several children hospitalized, an unknown source... This Thursday, June 19, health authorities in Hauts-de-France and Aisne provided a detailed look at the episode of severe food poisoning affecting several children in the town of Saint-Quentin.

The department's prefecture announced in a press release on Wednesday the death of a 12-year-old child from food poisoning. The total number of infected people, initially seven, has risen to eight, as Nathalie De Pouvourville, director of health security at the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency, announced at a press conference.

Among the eight children infected with Shiga toxin, there is the child who died from the disease, six are hospitalized, four of whom are in a serious condition, and one is being monitored at home. "Four children are experiencing serious complications following this infection," the doctor explained. They are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome, the same syndrome that appeared during the Buitoni pizza incident.

According to Public Health France, the characteristic symptoms are bloody diarrhea, sometimes vomiting, "signs of extreme fatigue," a decrease in urine "and sometimes convulsions."

While eight sick children have been identified, the link between their respective infections remains to be determined. Investigations by the regional health agency and Public Health France have ruled out several hypotheses.

"What we know at this time is that all the children live in Saint-Quentin or the surrounding area. They have not attended any shared community facilities, they have not attended any restaurants or shared catering facilities, and they have not had water or meals together," explained Nathalie De Pouvourville. The children also all attend different schools.

"This is a somewhat more complex investigation, and there is no evidence on these issues," explained Eloi Goullieux, head of the Aisne emergency medical service.

The aim of the survey is to highlight the common bias of infection, a food, a place of eating or a place of purchase, for example.

Although the infection figures may seem worrying to parents, the various government agencies have demonstrated their preparedness and interconnectedness to respond to the situation. "We understand the concerns (...) the emergency medical services (SAMU) have organized the broadest and most orderly response possible," Eloi Goullieux assured the press.

The government is urging parents of children with symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, to call 15 for testing and treatment if necessary. At this stage, it has not been necessary to implement a specific health plan specific to crisis situations.

"I know there are a lot of concerns among parents, but we need to be reassured (...) food hygiene measures are enough," added the expert, recommending basic health measures: precautions regarding the consumption of raw products, washing vegetables, washing hands, etc.