Over 2,000 people have been infected by enterohaemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC) bacteria, many of whom have gone on to develop the potentially fatal haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the E. coli bacterium responsible for the outbreak is a new strain that has never been seen before. Hilde Kruse, a food safety expert at the WHO said that "this is a unique strain that has never been isolated from patients before" adding that the new strain has "various characteristics that make it more virulent and toxin-producing".
The agriculture minister for Lower Saxony, Gert Lindemann said:
"Further evidence has emerged which points to a plant nursery in Uelzen as the source of the EHEC cases, or at least one of the sources. The nursery grows a wide variety of beansprouts from seeds imported from different countries."
The “beansprouts” in question include adzuki, alfalfa, broccoli, peas, lentils and mung beans, all of which are grown in the nursery to be used in salads.
The nursery is now closed, although officials say that it is not conclusively confirmed as the source of the outbreak. The confirmation of a German source of the outbreak would be potentially embarrassing for the country, as officials had previously suggested that Spanish cucumbers were responsible. The Spanish Prime Minister is now seeking compensation to cover economic losses. Last week saw Russia banning vegetable imports from the whole of the EU.
Another source of confusion is around why women are disproportionately affected by this outbreak, as around three quarters of those infected are female. Bob Adak, head of the UK Health Protection Agency's food section, said:
“We can't say with complete certainty why women have been disproportionately affected, but in previous outbreaks around the world associated with salad vegetables we have seen women and adults more severely affected than men and children, so it's possible that this could be an indicator of food preference.”
On Saturday, German officials said there were signs that the outbreak may be slowing.
The Food Standards Agency are issuing reminders of the importance of basic food hygiene practices when preparing food, and that fruits and vegetables should be washed. Peeling or cooking fruit and vegetables can also help to remove germs. Travellers to Germany should avoid eating certain raw salad products, especially in the north of the country, until further notice. In addition anyone returning from Germany with illness including bloody diarrhoea should seek urgent medical attention and make sure they mention their recent travel history.
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