“We would like to understand”: 17 children mysteriously poisoned in Savoy, “a devastating germ” is suspected

The mystery remains unsolved in Aillon-le-Jeune, a small town in Savoy located not far from Chambéry. Since November 19, several people have suffered from strange illnesses similar to food poisoning. Among them are 17 children, reports France Bleu Pays de Savoie.

All the patients seem to have one thing in common: a direct or indirect link with the Ferme de la Mense, an establishment that welcomes regular customers and tourists from the region and that supplies the canteen of the city’s primary school.

Food poisoning ruled out

Initially, authorities believed it was food poisoning caused by transporting hot products served in the dining room. But the other schools in the area, although also provided by the Mense farm, were not affected by this phenomenon.

Then, when agricultural workers who had consumed the products directly on site also developed symptoms of poisoning, the hypothesis of a transport-related problem was ruled out. But how do you explain then that around twenty people could become ill so suddenly?

“The people who work at the Ferme de la Mense also work in the canteen. One of them could have transmitted the virus to the children there,” confesses the mayor of Aillon-le-Jeune, Serge Tichkiewitch. the France Bleu microphone.

A lightning germ?

The councilor now wonders about the presence of a “lightning microbe” on the farm, in his own words, responsible for violent symptoms. A germ that is transmitted regardless of the consumption of food products, since tourists, staying in the two hostels on the farm and independent in terms of catering, have also become ill.

“When there is an epidemic like this between 13 and 17 years old, we can wonder what is happening and then we can have children who are a little fragile for whom it becomes dangerous. Now, the fact that he has really calmed down reassures us. although we would like to understand what could have happened,” adds Serge Tichkiewitch.

When we contacted, the Regional Health Agency did not respond to our requests, as did the municipality of Aillon-le-Jeune.