On June 22, two hospitals in Bordeaux reported six cases of bloody diarrhea and two cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) to the Aquitaine Regional Health Agency. An epidemiological investigation was immediately launched to identify the source of this cluster of cases.

As of June 28, 8 cases of HUS and 8 cases of bloody diarrhea had been identified since June 22.

Of these 16 cases of HUS or bloody diarrhea, 11 attended an open house on June 8 at a Early Childhood Recreation Center (CLPE) in Bègles. These 11 individuals include 7 women and 4 men aged 31 to 64. Nine of them reported having consumed sprouted seeds during the event. For two individuals, information regarding the consumption of sprouted seeds is not currently available.

An EHEC O104:H4 infection has been confirmed in 4 patients with HUS. Microbiological diagnosis of the other cases is ongoing. The EHEC O104:H4 strain isolated from these patients shares the same characteristics as the strain responsible for a large-scale outbreak of EHEC infections linked to the consumption of sprouted seeds that occurred in Germany in May and June 2011.

A cohort study involving all individuals who attended the open house will be conducted to document this outbreak from an epidemiological and clinical perspective.

A traceability investigation is underway to determine the origin of the seeds (mustard, arugula, or fenugreek) consumed during the open house. Samples of sprouting seeds are currently undergoing microbiological analysis.

Individuals who visited the Bègles Early Childhood Recreation Center during the Open House on June 8 and are experiencing bloody diarrhea are advised to consult their primary care physician or call the 15 hotline or SOS Médecins.

This incident is unrelated to the cluster of E. coli O157 infections that occurred in June in the Nord region and were linked to the consumption of a batch of "Steaks Country" brand ground beef distributed by Lidl stores.