This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-13592765

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
E.coli cucumber scare: Germany seeks source of outbreak E.coli cucumber scare: Germany seeks source of outbreak
(about 1 hour later)
Germans have been warned not to eat cucumbers until tests identify the source of a deadly E.coli outbreak that has killed 11 and spread across Europe.Germans have been warned not to eat cucumbers until tests identify the source of a deadly E.coli outbreak that has killed 11 and spread across Europe.
It is thought contaminated cucumbers were imported from Spain, but further tests are being carried out.It is thought contaminated cucumbers were imported from Spain, but further tests are being carried out.
Germany has registered 1,200 confirmed or suspected cases in the E.coli outbreak so far.Germany has registered 1,200 confirmed or suspected cases in the E.coli outbreak so far.
With cases reported in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK, Germany is set to hold crisis talks later.With cases reported in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK, Germany is set to hold crisis talks later.
In many of the reported cases, the gastrointestinal infection has led to Hemolytic-uremic Syndrome (HUS), which causes kidney problems and is potentially fatal.
Export chain
One woman was taken to hospital in Poland on Monday. She was said to be in a serious condition after returning from a trip to the northern German city of Hamburg, which has seen the majority of infections.One woman was taken to hospital in Poland on Monday. She was said to be in a serious condition after returning from a trip to the northern German city of Hamburg, which has seen the majority of infections.
Authorities in the Czech Republic, Austria and France have taken some Spanish-grown cucumbers off shop shelves amid contamination fears.Authorities in the Czech Republic, Austria and France have taken some Spanish-grown cucumbers off shop shelves amid contamination fears.
Czech officials said contaminated cucumbers may also have been exported to Hungary and Luxembourg.Czech officials said contaminated 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. Austria has banned the sale of cucumbers, tomatoes and aubergines imported via Germany.Suspicion has fallen on organic cucumbers from Spain imported by Germany but then re-exported to other European countries, or exported directly by Spain. Austria has banned the sale of cucumbers, tomatoes and aubergines imported via Germany.
Two Spanish greenhouses identified as sources for the outbreak have been closed and are currently under investigation to see whether the outbreak originated there or elsewhere, said an EU spokesman.Two Spanish greenhouses identified as sources for the outbreak have been closed and are currently under investigation to see whether the outbreak originated there or elsewhere, said an EU spokesman.
In many of the reported cases, the gastrointestinal infection has led to Hemolytic-uremic Syndrome (HUS), which causes kidney problems and is potentially fatal. Spanish officials have said Europe should not be so quick to blame Spanish produce.
"You can't attribute the origin of this sickness to Spain," said Diego Lopez Garrido, Spain's Secretary of State for European Affairs.
"There is no proof and that's why we are going to demand accountability from those who have blamed Spain for this matter," he told reporters in Brussels.
Contagious cucumbers?Contagious cucumbers?
The Sweden-based European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has called the outbreak "one of the largest described of HUS worldwide and the largest ever reported in Germany".The Sweden-based European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has called the outbreak "one of the largest described of HUS worldwide and the largest ever reported in Germany".
Ten of the oubtreak's 11 fatalities have been women. All but one of those deaths were recorded in northern Germany, but fears that the outbreak was spreading increased when a 91-year-old woman died in North Rhine-Westphalia.Ten of the oubtreak's 11 fatalities have been women. All but one of those deaths were recorded in northern Germany, but fears that the outbreak was spreading increased when a 91-year-old woman died in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The head of Hamburg University's Eppendorf Clinic, Joerg Debatin, said more deaths were expected, as 30 people infected with HUS had lost kidney function.The head of Hamburg University's Eppendorf Clinic, Joerg Debatin, said more deaths were expected, as 30 people infected with HUS had lost kidney function.
German authorities have warned the outbreak may get worse as its source may still be active.German authorities have warned the outbreak may get worse as its source may still be active.
As German media reported the number of people infected had risen to 1,200, Health Minister Daniel Bahr was preparing to hold emergency talks with Consumer Affairs Minister Ilse Aigner and regional state representatives to discuss the outbreak, officials said.As German media reported the number of people infected had risen to 1,200, Health Minister Daniel Bahr was preparing to hold emergency talks with Consumer Affairs Minister Ilse Aigner and regional state representatives to discuss the outbreak, officials said.
Meanwhile, the authorities in Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony expect the number of seriously ill patients to rise, because it can take up to 10 days for symptoms of infection to appear, the news website Spiegel reported.Meanwhile, the authorities in Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony expect the number of seriously ill patients to rise, because it can take up to 10 days for symptoms of infection to appear, the news website Spiegel reported.
Doctors are pinning their hopes on Eculizumab, an antibody treatment that has worked in the past against HUS, correspondents say.Doctors are pinning their hopes on Eculizumab, an antibody treatment that has worked in the past against HUS, correspondents say.
The head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's national disease institute, has warned people to avoid eating raw cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.The head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's national disease institute, has warned people to avoid eating raw cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.
But RKI President Reinhard Burger said the source of the contamination had not yet been clearly identified, AFP reported.But RKI President Reinhard Burger said the source of the contamination had not yet been clearly identified, AFP reported.
The outbreak has baffled scientists because whereas HUS normally affects children under the age of five, in this instance nearly 90% are adults and two-thirds are women, says the BBC's Stephen Evans in Berlin.The outbreak has baffled scientists because whereas HUS normally affects children under the age of five, in this instance nearly 90% are adults and two-thirds are women, says the BBC's Stephen Evans in Berlin.
One possibility is that they became infected after eating food for what they thought were health reasons, adds our correspondent.One possibility is that they became infected after eating food for what they thought were health reasons, adds our correspondent.
The DNA of the bacterium is to be analysed later to try to find ways of catching it early in people infected by it.The DNA of the bacterium is to be analysed later to try to find ways of catching it early in people infected by it.
The sickness is not directly contagious but it can be transferred between people if an infected person prepares food for others.The sickness is not directly contagious but it can be transferred between people if an infected person prepares food for others.