Two-Year-Old Hospitalized in Luxembourg Following E. Coli Infection Linked to Regional Outbreak

Luxembourg health authorities have confirmed that a two-year-old child was hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by an E. coli infection, following a wider outbreak reported in neighboring Germany. The child, treated at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), is now in stable condition, according to Health Minister Martine Deprez.

The outbreak, which originated in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany, has infected nearly 130 people since mid-August. In response, Luxembourg’s National Health Laboratory (LNS) reviewed local cases and recorded 35 reports of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in 2025. Of these, five strains were confirmed as enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) — a particularly virulent form of the bacteria.

E. coli infections can range from asymptomatic cases to severe symptoms resembling gastroenteritis, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Contamination typically occurs through raw or undercooked foods such as meat, vegetables, or unpasteurized dairy products. While person-to-person transmission is possible, it remains relatively rare.

Despite ongoing investigations, no specific food source has yet been identified in Germany or Luxembourg. The Health Directorate emphasized that it is working closely with European health platforms to monitor the situation.

If a contamination source is confirmed, rapid alert systems across Europe will notify national authorities immediately. In such cases, Luxembourg’s Veterinary and Food Administration (ALVA) will coordinate swift action — including product recalls, public warnings, and enhanced microbiological surveillance — to protect consumers and prevent further infections.

Read More : Luxembourg: A 2-year-old child hospitalized after an E. coli infection - The essentials

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