Nearly 24 children are affected: they eat in their school canteen and end up contaminated with salmonella

Salmonella is responsible for food poisoning and results in gastrointestinal disorders. MAXPPP – Sebastien JARRY

In a school in Loire-Atlantique, 24 schoolchildren were contaminated with salmonella after eating in their establishment's canteen.

At La Chevrolière school in Loire Atlantique, cases of salmonella have increased since the end of the February holidays. Several parents alerted the regional health agency (ARS) of several cases of food poisoning in their children, reports Ouest-France.

A hospitalized child

On April 11, the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP) then carried out an inspection of the canteen, managed by the municipality. Several foods were taken for analysis and on April 15, the results confirmed the presence of salmonella in a raw milk cheese served to children.

On April 12, the regional health agency (ARS) counted 24 cases of salmonella infection. One of the children even had to be hospitalized but fortunately, "he is fine today", according to the mayor of the commune, Johann Boblin, at Ouest-France.

The product has been removed from the school canteen which has undergone complete disinfection: "The municipality followed the ARS protocol […] Even today, we remain vigilant", the councilor clarified to our colleagues.

Raw or undercooked foods are most affected

As reported by the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), " infections by bacteria of the Salmonella genus represent the second cause of food-borne illness in Europe".

Salmonella is responsible for food poisoning and results in gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, vomiting) that appear suddenly, often accompanied by fever and headaches. These symptoms generally occur 6 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated products. They may be more pronounced in young children, pregnant women, the elderly or immunocompromised people.

"Raw or insufficiently cooked foods, especially of animal origin, are the most concerned: eggs and products based on & rsquo;raw eggs, meats (beef, pork, including raw charcuterie and poultry products), raw milk cheeses", according to the Anses agency.