A 12-year-old girl has died following a food poisoning outbreak in northern France that has left nearly two dozen others ill.
Health officials believe the source of the outbreak is meat contaminated with E. coli bacteria, sold at six butcher shops in the Saint-Quentin area. Since June 12, the outbreak has affected 24 children and one older adult. Nine of the patients, including the girl who died, developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome—a severe complication that can lead to anemia and kidney failure, according to the regional health authority. As of June 26, 10 people remained hospitalized.
The incident has drawn renewed attention to E. coli infections and the risks they pose, especially to young children and vulnerable individuals. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a group of bacteria that can cause infections in your gut (GI tract), urinary tract, and other parts of your body. Most types of E. coli are harmless, causing only mild symptoms. However, certain types can cause an intestinal infection, which can lead to severe, potentially life-threatening complications. One might ask: what causes the infection, and how can you prevent it?
To learn more about E. coli infection, click on and check out the following slides.