Australian travelers warned not to eat salad in Europe, E.coli outbreak continues
The recent outbreak of a new E.Coli bacteria strain in Germany has left Australian travelers scared and threatened, hence, infectious disease experts are warning them to stay away from salad bars.
According to the World Health Organization, the new and more aggressive strain of E.Coli is said to release more toxins, resulting in more dangerous physical effects. Early symptoms include painful excretion, bloody and watery stool and severe abdominal pain. The bacteria allegedly originated from Spanish cucumbers, but experts add it could also come from lettuce, tomatoes, and other salad items like carrots and potatoes. The existing theory that experts dwell on is the use of cattle manure as fertilizer in northern Germany - where local produce is distributed all over the world. Bugs and other toxic substances in the manure stay onto the surface of the produce, where people are most likely to consume it without being aware.
Roland Cobbold, an infectious disease expert at Quensland University, gives a stern warning to Australian travelers wising to spend summer in Europe. "People who are travelling in Europe are recommended, particularly in Germany, (to) be aware of the issue and not eat any salad items there at the moment" said the expert in a report by the Herald Sun. "People travelling in Europe might return back to Australia with the disease", adds Dr. Cobbold. Cobbold also mentions bacteria can enter the country through produce brought back from Europe.
17 people have died due to the new strain of E.Coli, with 1,600 locals and travelers infected by the bacteria. In a separate E.Coli outbreak case, a food company based in Japan is blaming an Aussie meat exporters for sending beef infected with the bacteria. All fifteen people who consumed the said meat recovered, and investigation on where the bacteria originated is ongoing at present.