One second child died as part of the resurgence of cases of serious contamination with the E. coli bacterium reported since the beginning of February, the public health agency France announced on Saturday, which insists on “food risk prevention“.
As of March 11, 2022, 26 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)”related to E. coli bacteria with similar characteristics have been identified” in children from 1 to 15 years old and “two children died“, said Public Health France in a press release, adding that “22 additional cases are under investigation“.
Investigations continue
The investigations are continuing on “all cases of pediatric HUS reported since January 1, 2022 on the national territory in order to identify a possible common source of contamination and to put in place the appropriate measures (for example withdrawal-recalls of incriminated products)“.
Corn “at this stage, the epidemiological investigation has not made it possible to incriminate a particular source of contamination“, that is why “the health authorities renew the general prevention recommendations dietary risks, especially in children under 16” and the elderly.
The main recommendations
Among these recommendations:
- hand washing must be systematic before meal preparation,
- meats, especially ground beef, must be well cooked through
- and raw milk, cheeses made from raw milk and dairy products made from raw milk should not be consumed by children under 5 years of age.
The recommendations also concern:
- Flour-based preparations (pizza/cookie dough/cake/pie…) which should not be eaten raw or undercooked.
- Vegetables, salads, fruits, herbs must be thoroughly washed before consumption, as must kitchen utensils (especially when they have previously been in contact with raw foods) and work surfaces.
- In addition, children should not drink untreated water (well water, torrent, etc.)
- and contact of very young children (under 5) with cows, calves, sheep, goats, deer, etc., and their environment should be avoided.
- In the event of contact with these animals, hand washing must be systematic, recalls Public Health France.