Public health: sprouted seeds source of killer bacteria

This time the conclusion is clear: according to Reinhard Burger, director of the Robert Koch Institute, the federal authority for disease control, sprouted seeds are indeed the cause of the deadly epidemic caused by the Escherichia coli bacteria in certain European countries. So don't be afraid to eat tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce anymore. They have been cleared.

According to this source, "people who have consumed sprouted seeds are nine times more likely to suffer from bloody diarrhea than others." Sadly, the epidemic continues to claim victims. The latest toll: 30 deaths, including 29 in Germany. More women than men are believed to have been infected by this bacteria.

A WHO study

On its official website, the World Health Organization states that "69% of these cases were in women and 88TP3T were in adults aged 20 years or older. The highest attack rates per 100,000 population were in the 20-49 age group and the cases occurred between 1 May and 6 June."

As of June 8, 13 other European countries reported a total of 35 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or bloody diarrhea and urea, with one fatal case and 61 uncomplicated cases. The Hamburg region in northern Germany appears to be the focus of the outbreak.

The investigation continues

The Robert Koch Institute conducted a study with each patient affected by this bacteria to determine their consumption habits and establish links. Only 28% of these recalled eating sprouted seeds. It must be said that Germans love sprouted seeds as a side dish for raw vegetable salads. As a precaution, all stocks of sprouted seeds from the farm have been withdrawn from the market.