Food poisoning outbreak at retirement home kills four OAPs and leaves 15 others in intensive care
Twenty-two elderly people at the home in Lhrem, near Toulouse, France, became violently ill after dinner last night
AT least four people have died and 15 others are in intensive care following a food poisoning scandal at a retirement home in France.
A total of 22 residents at the residential care facility in Lhrem, near Toulouse, sat down for dinner last night before becoming violently ill.
"Prosecutors have been informed that there is a strong suspicion of food poisoning," said deputy mayor Frederic Pasian.
"The residents all had symptoms at around 8pm – an hour and a half after their meal," Mr Passian added, saying many were "vomiting and displaying other serious symptoms related to their meal."
He said that names of the four deceased, and all the other victims, were not being released until family members had been informed.
Four people are confirmed dead, 15 are in intensive care, while others are "also very seriously ill," said Mr Pasian, indicating that there were serious fears that others could die.
In the meantime, a Red Cross crisis unit has been set up at the Cheneraie – the name of the retirement home, which has 88 private rooms for those living there.
A statement released by the Prefect of the Haute-Garonne department of South-West France in which Lhrem situated reads: "Twenty-two residents of La Cheneraie – a nursing home for elderly residents in Lherm have become victims of food poisoning on the evening of March 31 after dinner."
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Examining magistrates have ordered forensics officers and other experts into the building to examine evidence that may lead to prosecutors.
The facility is state run, and has an excellent safety record, according to Pascal Champvert, director of a local organisation specialising in the care of the elderly.
"It was opened in 2006 and is presented as a high-end establishment," he said. "There are salaried cooks offering regional cuisine prepared on site," he said.
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