Enterohemorrhagic E. Coli Kills 22 in Europe




(Frankfurt, Germany) According to the World Health Organization, 22 people have died (21 in Germany) from a deadly E. coli outbreak in Europe.

Cucumbers from Spain and bean sprouts from Germany were suspected but testing has produced negative results. German authorities are back to square one in their investigation.

Meanwhile, European consumption of fruits and vegetables has nosedived.

In Germany alone, the German Farmers' Association estimates farmers are incurring losses of €30 million ($44 million) a week.

A Spanish farming lobby has put its losses at €200 million, and Portuguese officials estimated their farmers lost €2 million in the first week of the outbreak.

Restaurants, grocery stores and other users of fresh produce are also feeling the hit.

The source of the deadly strain of E. coli remains elusive.