E.coli outbreak kills Swedish woman as death toll hits 16 - but cucumbers are NOT to blame
The deadly E.coli outbreak has claimed its first victim outside Germany.
A woman in Sweden, who had recently returned from Germany, died, bringing to 16 the number of people who have so far been killed.
The bacteria was originally linked to Spanish cucumbers imported into Germany, but officials admitted yesterday that new tests had ruled them out.
‘Germany recognises that the Spanish cucumbers are not the cause,’ state secretary for agriculture Robert Kloos said outside a European Union farm ministers meeting in Hungary.
The exact source of the virulent strain of the bacteria is still not known, but scientists said the suspicions about vegetables or salads being a possible source were well-founded since cattle manure used in fertiliser can harbour E.coli.
Last night Spanish authorities said they were investigating a suspected case in a patient who had also been to Germany. Up to 1,200 people are said to have been struck down in one of the largest outbreaks of its kind.
There are not thought to have been any linked cases in the UK.
The outbreak has caused diplomatic tensions between Germany, Spain, France and Russia, with Moscow banning some vegetable imports and threatening to extend the ban to the whole EU.
Spanish agriculture minister Rosa Aguilar said: ‘Germany accused Spain of being responsible for the E.coli contamination, and did it with no proof, causing irreparable damage to the Spanish production sector.’
Spanish media reported Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Luxemburg, Hungary, Sweden, Belgium and Russia blocking imports of their cucumbers.
