E. Coli Outbreak in Aisne Kills 11-Year-Old Girl, Infects 30 Including 10 Hospitalized; Paris Prosecutor Opens Inquiry

Since mid-June 2025, the northern French department of Aisne, particularly the town of Saint-Quentin, has experienced a severe outbreak of food poisoning linked to the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium. The outbreak has affected 30 individuals, predominantly children, with 29 cases reported among children aged from 4 to 12 years and one case involving a 73-year-old adult. Among the victims, an 11-year-old girl died on June 16 due to complications from the infection.

At least 10 patients remain hospitalized, with several suffering from severe symptoms including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition affecting the kidneys. Investigations have identified contaminated meat products as the source of the outbreak, with E. coli bacteria detected in meats and surfaces of six butcher shops in Saint-Quentin, five of which are halal establishments. These butcheries, along with a meat section in a supermarket, have been closed by authorities as a precautionary measure. Authorities have established a definitive biological link between the contaminated meat and the infections. The public health investigation is ongoing, with genomic sequencing and further analyses underway to trace the contamination chain and identify the exact point of origin, whether at slaughterhouses or intermediaries. The Paris public prosecutor's office's public health division has taken over the judicial inquiry, which includes charges such as involuntary homicide and endangerment. Health officials have warned that antibiotic treatments are largely ineffective against this strain, and they have issued guidance to the public on symptoms and preventive measures. The outbreak has caused widespread concern and a decline in consumer confidence towards local meat products in Saint-Quentin, with some residents avoiding meat purchases altogether. Authorities continue to monitor and report new cases, with the latest count reaching 30 as of early July 2025.