Russia bans imports of vegetables from all European countries

The intestinal infection, which has already killed 16 people in Europe, has arrived in another European country - the Czech Republic. An American tourist was hospitalized to a hospital in Prague with symptoms of severe intestinal infection. Her current condition is stable, Russia 24 TV channel said. The woman arrived in the Czech Republic from the north of Germany, where, as she said, she had had salad.

The Russian authorities are taking urgent measures in connection with an outbreak of the dangerous infection. On June 2, Russia has banned the import of vegetables from all European countries.

More than a thousand Europeans have been infected with the intestinal infection. The source of infection has not been found. The recent tests conducted in Germany have confirmed that the Spanish cucumbers do not spread the infection, as was originally thought. To be on the safe side, experts recommend not to eat salad, cucumbers and tomatoes temporarily.

The largest number of infections has been reported in the north of Germany. Thirty-six incidents were reported in Sweden. The infection was also registered in Austria, the Netherlands, Britain, Norway, Spain, Denmark and Switzerland.

On Thursday, June 2, Russia banned the imports of fresh vegetables from all countries of the European Union, Interfax reported with reference to Gennady Onishchenko, the head of the Russian consumer protection agency.

According to him, the agency has already sent adequate instructions to the Russian Customs Service. Before June 2, Russia had banned imports of vegetables from Germany and Spain only.

As for the Russian market, fresh vegetables from the EU countries will be withdrawn from circulation across the country, Onishchenko said.

There were 1,243 incidents of acute intestinal illnesses registered in Europe. Four hundred incidents of the disease run with hemolytik uremic syndrome, whereas 843 other incidents run with symptoms of haemorrhagic colitis. Sixteen people have already died; 15 deaths occurred in Germany.

"This proves that Europe's boasted sanitary laws, which they want Russia to adopt, are not working," Onishchenko said.

"It was obvious in the very beginning of the outbreak of the infection that the Spanish cucumbers had nothing to do with it. However, they were advertising the version about the Spanish cucumbers for a week," the official said. "How many other people will have to die in Europe to make European officials proceed from word to action?" he added.

AP photo