E. coli outbreak in Belgian nursing homes

Belgium

Update October 1st, 2025:
Belgian health authorities report that raw minced beef was likely the source of the STEC outbreak that struck multiple care homes in August. The outbreak affected residents in 11 care facilities across Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels, leaving nine people dead and more than 70 ill.

Investigators found that beef from the same batch had been served in all the impacted homes, though no samples from that specific batch were available for testing, making it impossible to confirm the source through lab analysis. Over 70 food samples from the wider supply chain were examined as part of the probe.

Source: www.belganewsagency.eu/stec-outbreak-in-care-homes-raw-minced-meat-most-likely-source-of-infection


Update September 1st, 2025:
Health authorities have confirmed that the STEC outbreak in Belgium has now claimed eight lives, up from four reported earlier. Seven deaths occurred in Flanders and one in Wallonia.

The outbreak has affected at least eight nursing homes in Flanders and one in Wallonia, with additional cases reported in Brussels and Ottignies. Currently, 63 residents remain ill: 48 in Flanders, 14 in Wallonia, and one in Brussels.

Most infections in Flanders have been linked to the O157 strain of STEC. The first STEC case in Brussels has also been confirmed. While authorities suspect the source is contaminated food that circulated through care homes several weeks ago, no new food-related cases have been identified. Some recent illnesses may be due to person-to-person transmission.

Investigators are continuing to collect samples and trace the food supply chain, noting that all affected care homes reportedly share the same supplier. The inquiry is ongoing and complex given the delay between exposure and symptom onset.

Source: www.belganewsagency.eu/eight-dead-in-belgium-from-stec-outbreak-while-source-remains-unknown


August 28th, 2025:
Belgian health authorities are investigating a STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) outbreak in nursing homes, with four deaths possibly linked to the pathogen. The outbreak has sickened 21 people across care centers in Flemish Brabant, Antwerp, and Aalst. One staff member is also infected, and the investigation is ongoing.

The outbreak has affected multiple nursing homes, with confirmed infections reported between August 18 and 25. Laboratory tests indicate that all patients were infected with the same bacterial strain, suggesting a common source. The Department of Care, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), Sciensano, and Belgium’s national reference center are collaborating to trace the contamination source, which is suspected to be food-related.

The issue was discovered after several residents fell ill, prompting laboratory analysis that confirmed the presence of STEC. The investigation includes a thorough review of food consumption in the affected care centers. Meanwhile, French dairy company Gillot has recalled Camembert batches due to potential STEC contamination, though no direct link to the Belgian cases has been established. Enhanced hygiene measures are in place, and authorities caution that more cases may surface as testing continues.

Source: www.belganewsagency.eu/four-deaths-possibly-linked-to-e-coli-outbreak-in-belgian-nursing-homes