Close Contact With 50 Colleagues Sparks Alarm
A female employee at a nuclear fuel company in northern France has tragically died from meningitis. Orano La Hague in Normandy confirmed the death but insisted there’s no link to the ongoing meningitis outbreak in Kent.
Death Confirmed at Cherbourg Hospital
The woman passed away at Cherbourg hospital on March 19, an Orano spokesperson revealed. Approximately 50 colleagues who had close contact with her were informed via email shortly after.
Strict Safety Measures Launched
Orano has ordered preventive antibiotics for all exposed staff, lasting 48 hours, and mandated a 10-day home isolation period until March 29. The company also disinfected the workplace, authorised remote working, and urged employees to follow strict precautions.
Support and Investigation Underway
Site management expressed “deepest condolences” to the victim’s family, friends, and colleagues. Psychological support services have been available 24/7 since March 20. The Manche Prefecture and Regional Health Agency (ARS) have been notified, and contact tracing is underway in close coordination with health services.
“Individuals considered contact cases — those who were less than a metre away face-to-face for over an hour in the past 10 days — have been informed by managers,” the spokesperson added.
Kent Outbreak Update
Meanwhile, Kent battles its own meningitis crisis with 29 suspected and confirmed cases reported so far. Eighteen are laboratory confirmed, with 11 under investigation. Sadly, two deaths are confirmed, but no new fatalities have been reported since the last update.
Orano’s spokesperson reiterated: “At this stage, no link has been established with the outbreak in England.”
