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E.coli cucumber scare: Cases 'likely to increase' | E.coli cucumber scare: Cases 'likely to increase' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A deadly E.coli outbreak linked to cucumbers is expected to worsen in the coming days, a scientist says. | A deadly E.coli outbreak linked to cucumbers is expected to worsen in the coming days, a scientist says. |
Fourteen people have died in Germany and hundreds are ill from infections linked to contaminated vegetables. | Fourteen people have died in Germany and hundreds are ill from infections linked to contaminated vegetables. |
"We hope the number of cases will go down but we fear it will worsen," said Oliver Grieve, of the University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein, where many victims are being treated. | "We hope the number of cases will go down but we fear it will worsen," said Oliver Grieve, of the University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein, where many victims are being treated. |
It is thought cucumbers from Spain were at the origin of the outbreak. | It is thought cucumbers from Spain were at the origin of the outbreak. |
But Spanish officials have refused to accept the blame, saying it is still unclear exactly when and where the vegetables were contaminated. | But Spanish officials have refused to accept the blame, saying it is still unclear exactly when and where the vegetables were contaminated. |
Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's national disease institute, has confirmed 329 cases in the country - though some reports have mentioned as many as 1,200 cases. | Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's national disease institute, has confirmed 329 cases in the country - though some reports have mentioned as many as 1,200 cases. |
In Sweden, authorities said there have been 36 suspected E.coli infections, all linked to travel in northern Germany. | In Sweden, authorities said there have been 36 suspected E.coli infections, all linked to travel in northern Germany. |
Cases have also been reported in Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK. | Cases have also been reported in Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK. |
In many instances, the gastrointestinal infection has led to Haemolytic-uraemic Syndrome (HUS), which causes kidney problems and is potentially fatal. | In many instances, the gastrointestinal infection has led to Haemolytic-uraemic Syndrome (HUS), which causes kidney problems and is potentially fatal. |
Suspicion has fallen on organic cucumbers from Spain imported by Germany but then re-exported to other European countries, or exported directly by Spain. | Suspicion has fallen on organic cucumbers from Spain imported by Germany but then re-exported to other European countries, or exported directly by Spain. |
Cucumbers from the cities of Almeria and Malaga have been identified as possible sources of contamination, according to an EU spokeswoman. | Cucumbers from the cities of Almeria and Malaga have been identified as possible sources of contamination, according to an EU spokeswoman. |
Wider ban threatened | Wider ban threatened |
Several countries have taken steps to curtail the outbreak, such as banning cucumber imports and removing the vegetables from sale. | Several countries have taken steps to curtail the outbreak, such as banning cucumber imports and removing the vegetables from sale. |
They include: | They include: |
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On Monday, Spanish Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar denied Spanish vegetables were to blame, and that Spain would look into claiming damages for losses incurred. | On Monday, Spanish Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar denied Spanish vegetables were to blame, and that Spain would look into claiming damages for losses incurred. |
"Our understanding is that the problem does not come from the [country of] origin," Ms Aguilar was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. | "Our understanding is that the problem does not come from the [country of] origin," Ms Aguilar was quoted as saying by AFP news agency. |
"The image of Spain is being damaged, Spanish producers are being damaged and the Spanish government is not prepared to accept this situation," she said. | "The image of Spain is being damaged, Spanish producers are being damaged and the Spanish government is not prepared to accept this situation," she said. |
She also urged Germany to wrap up its investigation into the cause of the outbreak. The results of the probe are not expected before Tuesday or Wednesday, officials said. | She also urged Germany to wrap up its investigation into the cause of the outbreak. The results of the probe are not expected before Tuesday or Wednesday, officials said. |
German authorities have warned people to avoid eating raw cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. | German authorities have warned people to avoid eating raw cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. |
They have also warned the outbreak may get worse as its source may still be active. | They have also warned the outbreak may get worse as its source may still be active. |
The World Health Organisation has described the outbreak as "very large and very severe" and has urged countries to work together to find the source of contamination. | The World Health Organisation has described the outbreak as "very large and very severe" and has urged countries to work together to find the source of contamination. |
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. |
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