Doha, June 5 (IANS) Qatar has banned the import of all vegetables from Germany and Spain due to an outbreak of a highly virulent strain of E. coli bacteria that has so far led to the death of at least 19 people, state-run QNA news agency reported.
The Qatari Supreme Council of Health decided to impose a temporary ban on fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce imported from Spain and Germany.
The council said it would not hesitate to ban vegetables from all European countries if necessary.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that no progress has been made in identifying the mysterious, lethal strain of E. coli that has infected and killed an unusually large number of people in Germany.
E. coli attacks the kidneys and can cause seizure, stroke and coma.