German ministers on Wednesday defended their response to the E.coli outbreak that has killed 24 people and signalled possible changes in the way the country handles health crises in the future. The German government has been criticised at home and around Europe for failing so far to pin down the cause of the outbreak that has stricken more than 2,700 people in 12 countrie, Reuters reported. All cases have been traced back to near Hamburg in northern Germany. About one third of E.coli patients in the latest outbreak have developed a severe complication called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) affecting the blood, kidneys and nervous system. "The E.coli and HUS outbreak in Germany is so severe that we have to react very quickly to announce these recommendations and we still can't give the all-clear," said Health Minister Daniel Bahr, referring to warnings not to eat certain raw vegetables, such as bean sprouts but also cucumbers, tomato and lettuce. -- SPA
