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E. coli cucumber scare: Cases 'likely to increase' | E. coli cucumber scare: Cases 'likely to increase' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A deadly E. coli outbreak in Europe is expected to worsen in coming days, a senior German scientist has said. | A deadly E. coli outbreak in Europe is expected to worsen in coming days, a senior German scientist has said. |
Fourteen people have died in Germany and one woman has now died in Sweden after a trip to Germany. | Fourteen people have died in Germany and one woman has now died in Sweden after a trip to Germany. |
"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 caused the outbreak. | It is thought cucumbers from Spain caused 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. |
The president of Spain's fruit and vegetable export federation has urged the government to deal with the outbreak, saying it was costing Spanish exporters $200m (£120m) a week. | The president of Spain's fruit and vegetable export federation has urged the government to deal with the outbreak, saying it was costing Spanish exporters $200m (£120m) a week. |
Asked which countries had stopped buying Spanish produce, Jorge Brotons reportedly told a news conference: "Almost all Europe. There is a domino effect on all vegetables and fruits." | Asked which countries had stopped buying Spanish produce, Jorge Brotons reportedly told a news conference: "Almost all Europe. There is a domino effect on all vegetables and fruits." |
Travel link | Travel link |
The World Health Organization (WHO) 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 Organization (WHO) has described the outbreak as "very large and very severe" and has urged countries to work together to find the source of contamination. |
The 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. | The 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 earlier said there were 36 suspected E. coli infections, all linked to travel in northern Germany. | In Sweden, authorities earlier said there were 36 suspected E. coli infections, all linked to travel in northern Germany. |
On Tuesday, Swedish authorities said a woman in her 50s had died in hospital, after being admitted on Sunday following a trip to Germany. | On Tuesday, Swedish authorities said a woman in her 50s had died in hospital, after being admitted on Sunday following a trip to 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. |
This is believed to be an outbreak of the 0104 strain of E. coli. | This is believed to be an outbreak of the 0104 strain of E. coli. |
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. |
On Monday, Spanish Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar denied Spanish vegetables were to blame, and said Spain would look into claiming damages for losses incurred. | On Monday, Spanish Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar denied Spanish vegetables were to blame, and said 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 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. |