A fresh development in the Aisne's E. coli outbreak: two additional cases identified among children
A serious food poisoning outbreak in Saint-Quentin, France, has been under investigation since late June. The initial reports of illnesses, which have affected at least 18-19 children, including a tragic death of a 12-year-old girl, have prompted a thorough investigation into potential violations of public health regulations.
The investigation, which was initially opened by the Saint-Quentin prosecutor's office, has now been transferred to the Paris Public Health Prosecutor's Office. This move indicates a broader scope and focus on public health concerns in the investigation.
Analyses have confirmed a link between several suspected butcheries and the food poisoning cases in Saint-Quentin and surrounding areas. As a result, six butcheries were preventively closed at the end of June, with only one able to reopen.
The Escherichia coli bacteria identified are strains known to cause serious food poisoning with symptoms appearing a few days after ingestion. The outbreak was confirmed in late June 2025.
Authorities have ruled out water sources such as tap water and swimming pool water as causes, confirming the contamination was food-borne, linked to meat or meat products from these establishments.
The investigation involves charges of involuntary homicide, injuries, endangerment, and aggravated deception endangering human health. Contamination can be observed between individuals, and a formal biological link has been established between the place of supply and the contamination of the sick.
Initial investigations suggest a contamination within the same family linked to the consumption of meat from one of the five closed butcheries. New cases may be recorded, even some time after the closure of the butcheries.
The Paris Public Health Prosecutor's Office is now responsible for the investigation, and the investigation is ongoing, focusing on the food poisoning cases in Saint-Quentin and surrounding areas. The latest update indicates that two new cases of severe food poisoning have been reported in children from the same family in the Saint-Quentin (Aisne) metropolitan area.
The authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious symptoms or incidents related to food poisoning. They also remind people to properly cook meat and to follow food safety guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.
- The investigation, now under the purview of the Paris Public Health Prosecutor's Office, has expanded to encompass science-based assessments of the medical-conditions associated with the food poisoning outbreak, in pursuit of health-and-wellness recommendations to promote food safety.
- The ongoing investigation has revealed that the Escherichia coli bacteria responsible for the food poisoning epidemic are not only linked to food-and-drink products sold by the six closed butcheries, but they may potentially affect other food items or establishments in the region, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strict lifestyle habits for the prevention of such outbreaks.
- In response to the escalating food poisoning cases in Saint-Quentin and the surrounding areas, authorities have underscored the significance of proper food-and-drink handling and preparation as a crucial contributor to an individual's overall health-and-wellness and a key factor in the reduction of risk for medical-conditions resulting from contaminated food supplies.
