Outbreak of E coli in Germany is linked to cucumbers from Spain

An outbreak of severe bloody diarrhoea and potentially lethal kidney failure from infection with enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in Germany has been traced to fresh cucumbers grown in Spain, and possibly to other raw vegetables.

On 19 May health officials in Hamburg said they had isolated the bacterium from four cucumbers, three of which came from a Hamburg market that sells to grocery stores, restaurants, and caterers. The cucumbers were traced back to two organic farms in Spain.

One of the two Spanish farms has denied …