Holiday hotspots hit by serious illness as officials introduce ‘control measures’

A severe outbreak of gastric disease has spanned four European countries, with more than 130 cases reported. The infection, which causes symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever, has led to hospitalizations.

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) identified the cause as Yersinia enterocolitica, found in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Norway. To date, ECDC has confirmed 133 cases.

Authorities suspect the cheese may be the source of the outbreak, and control measures are now being implemented to stop its spread. Yersinia bacteria are usually spread by consuming contaminated food or drink, including undercooked meat, unpasteurized dairy products, or contaminated water. It can also spread from person to person or through direct contact with infected animals.

Those affected are aged between three and 85 years, with women representing 57% (76) of cases. The ECDC reports that the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in southeastern France has the highest number of infections, with 57 cases.

However, cases have been identified in all regions of mainland France. An urgent alert has been launched after an investigation found an increase in Yerzinosis infections at a raw milk goat’s cheese in south-east France. Health authorities have reported cases in Belgium, Luxembourg and Norway, warning: “Given the distribution of the products involved in several EU/EEA countries, the risk of contracting yersinosis is high among consumers who bought the products involved or were exposed to them in other countries. settings before the control measures take effect.”

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) stressed that these incidents “represent a small proportion of all cases” and pledged to monitor vigilantly through epidemic intelligence activities. Yersiniosis usually presents with symptoms that include diarrhea, which can last up to three weeks, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Experts warn that it is difficult to differentiate this from other diarrheal diseases, noting that children are more prone to bloody diarrhea than adults. It has a particularly severe impact on infants, the immunocompromised and those patients in a state of iron overload where it can lead to sepsis, carrying a devastating 50% mortality rate.