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Girl dies in food poisoning outbreak in northern France Two butchers closed after girl dies in French food poisoning outbreak
(about 8 hours later)
Eight children have been admitted to hospital since the outbreak emerged (file pic)Eight children have been admitted to hospital since the outbreak emerged (file pic)
A 12-year-old girl has died and seven other children have been taken to hospital in an outbreak of severe food poisoning centred around a northern French town.A 12-year-old girl has died and seven other children have been taken to hospital in an outbreak of severe food poisoning centred around a northern French town.
Symptoms began to emerge on 12 June in and around Saint-Quentin, south of Lille, with the children rushed to hospital over the following days.Symptoms began to emerge on 12 June in and around Saint-Quentin, south of Lille, with the children rushed to hospital over the following days.
The cause of the outbreak is yet to be identified, as the children, aged 1-12, are not thought to have mixed in the same groups. The cause of the outbreak that has affected children aged 1-12 is yet to be confirmed, but two local butchers have been closed as a precaution as several children are thought to have eaten meat from the shops.
The girl died on Monday from a rare condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) linked to acute kidney failure, according to the local prefect in the Aisne area. The most common cause of the infection is E.coli bacteria. The girl died on Monday from a rare condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) linked to acute kidney failure; the most common cause of that is E.coli bacteria.
The latest case was reported on Wednesday evening, the regional health authority in Hauts-de France said. The latest case was reported on Wednesday evening, the regional health authority in Hauts-de-France said.
All eight children were admitted to hospital with severe digestive symptoms, such as bloody diarrhea, and five of them had developed HUS, the authority said. All eight children were admitted to hospital with severe digestive symptoms, such as bloody diarrhoea, and five of them had developed HUS, the authority said.
Health authorities are conducting biological analysis in an attempt to identify the bacterial strain involved in each case. "We have a total of 10 confirmed cases, including one child admitted to hospital in Reims. So, there's still concern," local mayor Frédérique Macarez told France Info radio.
They said there was no indication the children ate meals together and they have ruled out any issues with local tap water, which "can be used for drinking and for all everyday purposes". Five children are believed to have eaten meat or meat-based products from one butcher in the town, and another child from the second butcher, several days before they came down with symptoms the local prefecture said in a statement on Friday.
The infectious disease (HUS) is most often caused by E.coli food poisoning, authorities said. However, as the families involved had sourced their food from a variety of places, the origin of contamination is proving hard to find. The mayor said that they did not have 100% certainty that the poisoning had come from the two butchers, but some of the families involved had occasionally bought meat there.
Food inspectors were investigating whether contaminated meat was behind the outbreak. Several butchers in Saint-Quentin were closed on Thursday, local news outlet L'Aisne nouvelle reported. Samples from both shops have been sent for analysis over the weekend.
One butcher said all his meat, marinades and spices had been taken away to be checked. In a message posted on Facebook, one of the two butchers whose doors had been shut, La Direction, said the entire team expressed its condolences to the victim's family and relatives: "It's with deep sadness that we have learned of recent events at Saint-Quentin."
Parents have been told to be vigilant and ensure strict hygiene at home, with authorities advising regular hand-washing, washing of fruit and vegetables, thoroughly cooking meat and separating raw and cooked food. Parents have been told not to eat merguez or other sausages and lamb bought from the two shops in early June.
One town butcher said all his meat, marinades and spices had been taken away to be checked on Thursday.
Authorities had earlier ruled out any issues with local tap water, which "can be used for drinking and for all everyday purposes".
The infectious disease (HUS) is most often caused by E.coli food poisoning, authorities said.
They have also been warned to be vigilant and ensure strict hygiene at home, with authorities advising regular hand-washing, washing of fruit and vegetables, thoroughly cooking meat and separating raw and cooked food.