07-06-2011, 08:01 AM
In German television there is hardly another news item now for weeks, but there is also growing frustration that the source of the infection has not been clearly identified yet.
But there are indications. First the spanish cucumbers: the poison from EHEC bacteria has been found on three cucumbers, two of which have been traced to two different spanish producers, the third has initially been reported to be from Holland. Meanwhile laboratory tests have identified the bacteria to be not the variant causing the current outbreak, especially the kidney complications.
Then the sprouts: All of the major outbreaks were from Restaurants or kitchens being supplied by the identified producer of sprouts. In one case a broken package of the sprouts has been found in the fridge of a victim. I heard the interview with a survivor, who clearly identified a specific restaurant and a specific meal containing sprouts as the source of her infection. The restaurant was involved in several other infection cases as well.
It is not clear how the bacteria came to the sprouts, it may even be that the seeds that are imported from Asia have been infected and that the infected batch has already been completely processed and sold and eaten.
And seriously, I do not see any indication for a delibrate operation in this case, nor any plausible motivation. And I continue to eat normally.
But there are indications. First the spanish cucumbers: the poison from EHEC bacteria has been found on three cucumbers, two of which have been traced to two different spanish producers, the third has initially been reported to be from Holland. Meanwhile laboratory tests have identified the bacteria to be not the variant causing the current outbreak, especially the kidney complications.
Then the sprouts: All of the major outbreaks were from Restaurants or kitchens being supplied by the identified producer of sprouts. In one case a broken package of the sprouts has been found in the fridge of a victim. I heard the interview with a survivor, who clearly identified a specific restaurant and a specific meal containing sprouts as the source of her infection. The restaurant was involved in several other infection cases as well.
It is not clear how the bacteria came to the sprouts, it may even be that the seeds that are imported from Asia have been infected and that the infected batch has already been completely processed and sold and eaten.
And seriously, I do not see any indication for a delibrate operation in this case, nor any plausible motivation. And I continue to eat normally.
The most relevant literature regarding what happened since September 11, 2001 is George Orwell's "1984".