Mystery of deadly bacterial infection in Europe solved

Test results expected Monday could determine whether sprouts grown in Germany are the source of a deadly E. coli outbreak that has killed 22 people.

But authorities said they might not find any evidence of E. coli if it affected only a batch of bad sprouts and is no longer in the supply chain.

On Sunday, officials said German-grown sprouts are the likely source for the E. coli outbreak, reports CNN International.

"It's still too early to be overly scared of this food bug in Europe and the United States, but there's nothing wrong with a little extra precaution," said Tjandra Yoga Aditama, the ministry' s director general for disease control.

He added that there was no need at this point to issue warnings against traveling to Germany or any of the other countries affected by the outbreak, informs Xinhua.

The deadly bacteria has made more than 2,000 people ill in 12 countries - all of whom had been traveling in northern Germany.

Sweden has reported over 50 cases, including one death, and around 14 people in the UK are being treated.

The World Health Organisation has said the strain is rare and has been seen in humans before, but never in this kind of outbreak, according to Herald Sun.