Eight people in Belgium, including one in Wallonia and seven in Flanders, have died since mid-August after being infected with the shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bacteria.
This is according to a joint statement released on Monday by various regional health agencies.
So far, 63 people have exhibited symptoms of an STEC infection. The outbreak has impacted eight nursing homes in Flanders, all linked to the O157 strain of the bacteria, which is considered the most virulent.
Investigations are also underway at three nursing homes in Wallonia (located in the provinces of Namur, Luxembourg, and Walloon Brabant) and one in the Brussels Region (in Jette).
Officials are trying to determine if these cases involve the same O157 strain. The sole patient in Brussels is reportedly "in good health".
Laurent Hubin, spokesperson for the Brussels public health agency Vivalis, stated that the contamination is foodborne and likely originates from the same source as the cases in Flanders.
He also reassured the public that the risk of further infections in the capital is now "reduced."
Joris Moonens, spokesperson for the Flemish Care Department, added, "All indications suggest that there is no longer any risk of food-related contamination."
Belgium’s Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (Afsca) announced it is conducting a detailed investigation in collaboration with regional authorities to trace the source of the contamination.
Inspectors are collecting and analysing leftover food samples, while officials examine supply chains and shared food products across the affected establishments.
Afsca cautioned against drawing premature conclusions, stating, "It is still too early in the investigation to provide concrete leads." The agency emphasised its commitment to "extreme caution" throughout the process.
