Thailand says E. coli in avocados not dangerous

Thailand said on Friday that E. coli bacteria detected in avocados imported from Europe was not the same as a killer strain behind an outbreak centred on Germany. "The discovered bacteria can be found in the general environment and does not pose a health hazard, so the authorities allowed imports of avocados," Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said in a statement. Thailand said Thursday that it had found E. coli bacteria in avocados imported from an unspecified European country and was checking whether it was a lethal strain. In Europe a highly virulent strain of E. coli has left at least 30 people dead, mostly in Germany. The head of Germany's national public health institute said Friday that contaminated sprouts had been identified as the source of the outbreak, which has left more than 2,800 people ill in at least 14 countries. Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, fever and vomiting.