E.coli cucumber scare: Germany seeks source of outbreak

Gerald · 05-30-11, 05:50 AM

Germans have been warned not to eat cucumbers until tests identify the source of a deadly E.coli outbreak that has killed 10 and spread across Europe.

It is thought contaminated organic cucumbers were imported from Spain, but further tests are being carried out.

The vegetables have left hundreds ill with Hemolytic-uremic Syndrome (HUS), which causes kidney problems.

Cases have also been recorded in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK.

One woman was taken to hospital in Poland on Monday and said to be in a serious condition after returning from a trip to the northern German city of Hamburg, where more than 450 cases have been reported.

On Sunday, authorities in the Czech Republic and Austria took some Spanish-grown cucumbers off shop shelves amid contamination fears.

Czech officials said affected cucumbers may also have been exported to Hungary and Luxembourg.

Suspicion has fallen on organic cucumbers from Spain imported by Germany but then re-exported to other European countries, or exported directly by Spain.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13592765

Note: 30 May 2011 Last updated at 09:55 GMT

05-30-11, 05:50 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	E.coli cucumber scare: Germany seeks source of outbreak Germans have been warned not to eat cucumbers until tests identify the source of a deadly E.coli outbreak that has killed 10 and spread across Europe. It is thought contaminated organic cucumbers were imported from Spain, but further tests are being carried out. The vegetables have left hundreds ill with Hemolytic-uremic Syndrome (HUS), which causes kidney problems. Cases have also been recorded in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK. One woman was taken to hospital in Poland on Monday and said to be in a serious condition after returning from a trip to the northern German city of Hamburg, where more than 450 cases have been reported. On Sunday, authorities in the Czech Republic and Austria took some Spanish-grown cucumbers off shop shelves amid contamination fears. Czech officials said affected cucumbers may also have been exported to Hungary and Luxembourg. Suspicion has fallen on organic cucumbers from Spain imported by Germany but then re-exported to other European countries, or exported directly by Spain. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13592765 Note: 30 May 2011 Last updated at 09:55 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie