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E. coli cucumber scare: Spain angry at German claims | E. coli cucumber scare: Spain angry at German claims |
(40 minutes later) | |
Spain has expressed anger at links being made between Spanish cucumbers and a deadly E. coli outbreak. | Spain has expressed anger at links being made between Spanish cucumbers and a deadly E. coli outbreak. |
The country's agriculture minister said Germany pointed to Spanish cucumbers "without having reliable data". | The country's agriculture minister said Germany pointed to Spanish cucumbers "without having reliable data". |
Meanwhile, German officials have voiced doubts about whether the Spanish cucumbers they are investigating carried the deadly E. coli strain. | Meanwhile, German officials have voiced doubts about whether the Spanish cucumbers they are investigating carried the deadly E. coli strain. |
The outbreak has led to 16 deaths - 15 in Germany and a woman who died in Sweden after travelling to Germany. | The outbreak has led to 16 deaths - 15 in Germany and a woman who died in Sweden after travelling to Germany. |
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's national disease institute, says more than 1,150 people within Germany have been affected by enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, also known as EHEC. | The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's national disease institute, says more than 1,150 people within Germany have been affected by enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, also known as EHEC. |
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. |
The RKI has confirmed 373 cases of HUS in Germany. | The RKI has confirmed 373 cases of HUS in Germany. |
'Domino effect' | 'Domino effect' |
German authorities initially pointed to organic cucumbers from Spain. | German authorities initially pointed to organic cucumbers from Spain. |
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. |
Spanish Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar said: "We are disappointed by the way Germany handles the situation." | Spanish Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar said: "We are disappointed by the way Germany handles the situation." |
"We want Germany to provide, without any delay and distractions, the necessary information of its investigation so that the European Union can know what is causing the E. coli outbreak." | "We want Germany to provide, without any delay and distractions, the necessary information of its investigation so that the European Union can know what is causing the E. coli outbreak." |
Speaking at an EU meeting in Hungary, she also said the issue should be treated as a "common problem" and that there should be compensation for Spanish and other European producers affected. | Speaking at an EU meeting in Hungary, she also said the issue should be treated as a "common problem" and that there should be compensation for Spanish and other European producers affected. |
The Netherlands has also said it will ask for compensation. | The Netherlands has also said it will ask for compensation. |
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 was quoted as telling 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 was quoted as telling a news conference: "Almost all Europe. There is a domino effect on all vegetables and fruits." |
'Outbreak could worsen' | 'Outbreak could worsen' |
Authorities in Hamburg said four suspect cucumbers found there last week - including three imported from Spain - were carrying EHEC, but not the same kind found in patients. | Authorities in Hamburg said four suspect cucumbers found there last week - including three imported from Spain - were carrying EHEC, but not the same kind found in patients. |
"As before the source remains unidentified," Hamburg state health minister Cornelia Pruefer-Storcks said. | |
"Our hope of discovering the source of the cases of severe complications with HUS unfortunately has not been fulfilled by these first results." | "Our hope of discovering the source of the cases of severe complications with HUS unfortunately has not been fulfilled by these first results." |
She also defended the decision to link the outbreak to Spanish cucumbers last week. | She also defended the decision to link the outbreak to Spanish cucumbers last week. |
"It would have been irresponsible with this number of ill people to keep quiet about a well-grounded suspicion," she said. "Protecting people's lives is more important than economic interests." | "It would have been irresponsible with this number of ill people to keep quiet about a well-grounded suspicion," she said. "Protecting people's lives is more important than economic interests." |
Earlier, a senior German scientist warned that the outbreak could worsen. | Earlier, a senior German scientist warned that the outbreak could worsen. |
"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. |
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. |
In Sweden, authorities said there were 39 suspected E. coli infections, including 15 with HUS. | In Sweden, authorities said there were 39 suspected E. coli infections, including 15 with HUS. |
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. |
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. |
Have you been affected by any of the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Have you been affected by any of the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |