1 Jul 2011

E. coli outbreak in Germany linked to Egyptian seeds

5:21 pm on 1 July 2011

Seeds from Egypt have been identified as the possible source of highly toxic E. coli outbreaks in Germany and France that have killed at least 48 people.

More than 4000 people throughout Europe and in North America have been infected in the outbreak, which began in early May.

Almost all lived in Germany or had recently travelled there.

Scientists investigating the outbreak say initial inquiries suggest the infection was spread through the consumption of sprouts.

But tracing the sprouts' place of origin has implicated fenugreek seeds imported from Egypt, either in 2009 or last year.