The assessment of food poisoning linked to the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the Aisne continues to increase. The prefecture of the department announced on Tuesday that three new cases, concerning two children and an elderly person, have been detected, bringing the number of people affected so far.
This is the first time that an elderly person has been affected since the appearance of the first cases in the agglomeration of Saint-Quentin on June 12. The other 21 cases concern children, including a 12 -year -old daughter who died on June 16.
Investigations are continuing
These three new cases compared to the previous point of situation on Monday did not develop hemolytic and uremic syndrome (Shu), a serious complication affecting the kidneys and requiring dialysis treatment, said the prefecture. To date, “ten people remain hospitalized, four of which are dialysis. Eleven were able to leave the hospital and return to their homes, ”she added. All children are the subject of “continuous medical follow -up”.
The investigations to find the origin of the contamination continue. Suspecting a food infection linked to meat, the authorities have closed preventively since last week four halal butchers and two butcher’s supermarket rays of the Saint-Quentin agglomeration. The samples taken from these places of sale are still in progress. Food surveys on the origin of contaminations carried out in recent days “have not highlighted new businesses,” said the prefecture.
Local sporting events affected?
Meat from now-closed establishments was served during the Petit AS Football Football Tournament, organized on Saturday and Sunday in Saint-Quentin. On his Facebook page, the event organizer, Olympique Saint-Quentinois, invited “the people concerned to read with attention” from the press release from the Aisne prefecture relating to food poisoning.
A mini-basketball festival on Saturday in Gauchy, a neighboring commune, also served as the meat of one of the butcheries concerned. The new cases of contamination announced on Tuesday have no connection with these two sporting events, a spokesperson for the prefecture at AFP said.
Our health file
In parallel with the health investigation, a preliminary investigation against X was opened last week by the Saint-Quentin prosecution for manslaughter, involuntary injuries, endangering the life of others and deception on the goods presenting a danger to human life.
