Russia Bans German, Spanish Vegetables

A biologist tests a cucumber in Rostock, in northeastern Germany.

Russia's consumer protection agency says it has banned the import of all vegetables from Germany and Spain due to an outbreak of a highly virulent strain of the E. coli bacteria.

As many as 10 people are reported to have died in Germany from the outbreak, suspected of being caused by contaminated cucumbers from Spain.

Most of the infections have been reported in Germany, but cases have also been reported in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Britain.

Officials in the Czech Republic said there are indications that contaminated cucumbers may have been exported to the Czech Republic, as well as to Austria, Hungary, and Luxembourg.

compiled from agency reports