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Germany Reports More Deaths in E. Coli Outbreak

   VOA News  June 08, 2011
   An employee of "Werder Frucht" vegetables company throws away tomatoes
   in Werder, eastern Germany. The EU's farm chief on Tuesday proposed 150
   million euro ($219 million) in aid to help producers hit by the
   continent's E. coli contamination crisis, June 7

Photo: AP

   An employee of "Werder Frucht" vegetables company throws away tomatoes
   in Werder, eastern Germany, June 7, 2011

   Two more people have died in Europe's worst E. coli outbreak in recent
   history, even as German health officials say the number of new
   infections is dropping.
   At least 25 people have now died and more than 2,600 have been sickened
   since late May as a result of the mysterious bacteria. Nearly all the
   victims live in or visited northern Germany.
   Health Minister Daniel Bahr said that despite the deaths, fewer new
   infections could signal that the epidemic is on the decline. Bahr made
   the statement Wednesday on public television, just before an emergency
   meeting with health officials.

                                         E. coli and how it is transmitted

          E. coli is an abbreviation for Escherichia, which is a large and
    diverse group of bacteria. Most strains are harmless, others can cause
      illness. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. The
   major source is cattle, but other animals, foods and liquids may spread
                                                  contamination to people.
     * Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
       This is a dangerous form of E. coli known by the acronym STEC. The
       best known strain of this STEC (also called 0157) was identified in
       1982. Transmission and symptoms are similar to the most common form
       of E. coli.
     * EHEC
       A very serious infection is enterohaemorrhagic E. coli known by the
       acronym EHEC. It produces toxins, known as verotoxins or Shiga-like
       toxins. It may lead to life threatening diseases such as hemolytic
       uremic syndrome, or HUS.
     * HUS
       Scientists believe this is responsible for the European outbreak,
       originating from a potentially life threatening strain of STEC
       (0104). HUS afflicts the kidneys, blood and central nervous system.

   Authorities have failed to find the source of the virus. On Tuesday, a
   top World Heath Organization official said the source of the deadly
   outbreak may never be known.
   EU Farm Commissioner Dacian Ciolos has recommended a $220-million aid
   package to help farmers recoup some of their losses from unsold
   vegetables because of the E. coli crisis.
   Overturning initial suspicions, German investigators have ruled out
   home-grown organic sprouts, as well as lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers
   from Spain. Spanish Agriculture Minister Rosa Aguilar is demanding full
   compensation from Germany for losses suffered by farmers in her
   country.
   Spanish farmers whose revenue has been hard-hit by the outbreak, on
   Wednesday gave away some 30 tons of fruit and vegetables to people in
   Madrid.
   Russia and some other countries have banned all vegetables from the EU.
   E. coli symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and
   in extreme cases kidney failure and death.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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