Scientists have published a report on the largest documented outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in France but have been unable to explain how the pathogen survived in cooked pizzas.

On Feb. 10, 2022, Santé publique France and the National Reference Center for E. coli identified a spike in pediatric hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases reported since the beginning of February among children older than usual and living in Northern France. One day later, Santé publique France started outbreak investigations to identify a common source and implement control measures.