Wallonia (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The first STEC cases in Wallonia appeared at a nursing home with 8 suspected patients, 2 hospitalised, and 1 dead. AViQ and NRC are monitoring. Belgium has 20 infections and 5 deaths.
As VRT News reported, the first confirmed cases of the STEC bacteria, also known as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, have now appeared in Wallonia, the southern region of Belgium.
Since August 19, 8 suspected cases have been reported at a local nursing home. 5 of the patients are currently isolating at home, while 2 have been admitted to the hospital. 1 patient has died. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent any further spread.
What steps are AViQ and NRC taking in response to the Wallonia STEC outbreak?
In response, AViQ, the Walloon Agency for Health and Social Care, sent an inspection team to the nursing home yesterday, Aug 29, 2025. The team took samples to determine the presence of the bacteria. Inspectors also reviewed the facility’s hygiene measures.
Hospital staff confirmed that patients were properly isolated, and residents’ care records were examined to ensure infection control protocols were being followed. Health authorities stressed the importance of strict hygiene and careful monitoring to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable residents.
“That’s all happened,”
Confirms Lara Kotlar, spokeswoman for AViQ.
“Apart from these sick people, all the other residents are doing well.”
The samples taken from the Walloon nursing home will be sent to the National Reference Centre (NRC) on Monday, Sep 1, 2025. Experts at the NRC will examine the samples to see if there is a possible connection with the STEC infections recently reported in Flanders.
Across Belgium, about 20 infections have already been recorded in 6 residential care centres, including locations in Flemish Brabant, Antwerp, and the Aalst region. One staff member has also tested positive. 5 people have died from the infection. The first case in the country also appeared in a nursing home in Brussels.
