BOGOTA, June 10 (UPI) -- Colombian officials intensified inspection of produce entering the country after a deadly E.coli bacteria outbreak in Europe, authorities said.
The Ministry of Social Protection ordered the safety measures after the World Health Organization sent a warning to countries about the worldwide spreading of the bacteria, El Espectador reported Friday.
The organization said inspections for products from affected countries should be intensified at port areas.
German authorities first blamed cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce from Spain for the E.coli infection, which began spreading in May.
Investigators have recently switched their attention to sprouts grown in northern Germany as a potential cause.
Thai health authorities have acknowledged that avocados imported from Europe into the country also were contaminated with E.coli.
Some-30 people have died and more than 2,800 people have fallen ill in at least 14 countries since the outbreak began.
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