At least 197 children staying at the UCPA residence in La Plagne 1800 in the Savoie region fell ill with gastroenteritis on Tuesday, according to local media reports. There are currently 409 children and 30 accompanying adults staying at the centre, multiple reports indicate. Mayor Jean-Luc Boch confirmed that the incident appeared to be a severe case of gastroenteritis spreading among the children, adding that authorities were awaiting advice from the Regional Health Authority.
Students from a British private school are among those who fell ill, French media reports state. Students from Canada, France and Belgium have also been affected, multiple reports show. British school children are reportedly among dozens who have fallen ill at the popular ski resort, with a bout of severe food poisoning believed to be behind the illness affecting tourists from Canada, Belgium, France as well as the UK, while the cause is not yet known.
At least five teachers and several other members of staff are also reported to be exhibiting symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. Those who have fallen ill are being treated in the centre, with some youngsters placed on IV drips as authorities turned the hotel into a makeshift hospital ward. Firefighters were mobilised to the scene this morning to assist with the evacuation, while several doctors were also dispatched.
According to several witnesses, these cases of gastroenteritis are not the first in the UCPA establishment in La Plagne 1800. The head of sports at a French high school known only as Steeve said this was not the first time his students had fallen ill at the holiday centre.
Holidaymakers in La Plagne, France, are being treated after an outbreak of diarrhoea with people reportedly evacuated and confined to a sports centre, the Sun reports.
Key uncertainties remain, including how many British students have fallen ill and in what condition they are in, as well as the exact cause of the gastroenteritis outbreak. It is unclear whether the UCPA establishment will be locked down or closed, and the total number of staff members affected varies among sources. The specific identity of the British private school involved has not been disclosed.