Public health seized France after five cases in the same village in the Somme

The Hauts-de-France regional health agency “contacted the national public health agency to determine whether statistically more diseases actually exist in the observed population” and, if so, the reasons for this excess. .

Public Health France was contacted by the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS) after the deaths of five people suffering from Charcot disease in two streets in the village of Saint-Vaast-en-Chaussée (Somme), north of Amiens. “Five cases of residents, living on the same street or perpendicular to one of them, developed the disease between 2007 and 2022” Confirmed, ARS emphasized to AFP. The organization clarified that it was not aware “Other cases registered in the Municipality”.

ARS contacted the National Public Health Agency “Determine whether there is in fact statistically more disease in the observed population” And, if this excess exists, “To determine whether there are one or more local causes for this group of cases, other than chance, which it is possible to act on”, Public Health France told AFP, confirming the information Picard Mail. At this stage, “Investigation in progress” and is “First of all, the aim is to document the cases carefully”stage “required” For cluster detection.

“Unusual” situations of grouped cases

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), another name for Charcot disease, causes progressive paralysis of the muscles, creating a state of incarceration in the patient and usually causing death within three years. To date, there is no effective neuroprotective treatment. some situations “abnormal” Clustered ALS cases “Public Health France has been notified over the last 10 years, at this stage it is not possible to hypothesize a common cause of the various cases”.

For Pierre-Francois Pradat, a neurologist at the Petit-Salpêtrière Hospital (APHP) and co-president of the Association for Research on ALS (ARSLA), there are clusters. “frequently” and is connected with “chance”, That puts things into perspective with AFP. According to him, five cases since 2007 “This is not a huge increase given a disease that is still common,” The disease was genetic in origin for 10% of patients, he added.