Several people, including 17 minors, have fallen ill since Tuesday, November 19 in the small Savoyard village of Aillon-le-Jeune. Local authorities point the finger at “a devastating germ”, responsible for violent symptoms.
The mystery remains unsolved in Aillon-le-Jeune, a small town in Savoie 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 welcoming regulars and tourists to the region, and which supplies the canteen for the local primary school.
Food poisoning ruled out
Initially, the authorities believed it was food poisoning caused by the transport of hot products served in the canteen. But the other schools in the area, although also provided by the Mense farm, were not affected by this phenomenon.
Then, when farm workers who had consumed the products directly on site also developed symptoms of poisoning, the hypothesis of a problem linked to transport was ruled out. But how can we explain, then, that around twenty people could have fallen ill so suddenly?
“The people who serve at the Ferme de la Mense also serve in the canteen. One of them was able to transmit the virus to the children. We are there currently,” confides the mayor of Aillon-le-Jeune, Serge Tichkiewitch, at the microphone of France Bleu.
A lightning germ?
The councilor is now wondering about the presence of a “lightning germ” on the farm, in his own words, and responsible for violent symptoms. A germ transmitted independently of any consumption of food products, since tourists, staying in the farm's two lodges and independent in terms of catering, have also fallen ill.
“When there is an epidemic like that from 13 to 17, 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 it has actually calmed down reassures us, even if we would like to understand what could have happened,” adds Serge Tichkiewitch.
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When contacted, the Regional Health Agency did not respond to our requests, as did the commune of Aillon-le-Jeune.
