Mutant form has never been seen before
(NEWSER) - The deadly outbreak of E. coli that has killed 18 in Europe so far is a new, never-before-seen strain of the bacteria, the World Health Organization said today. It looks to be a mutant strain formed by two different types of E. coli bacteria, which could be why the outbreak is so dangerous—possibly the deadliest in recent world history—and so large, sickening more than 1,500 people so far and leading to rare kidney complications in hundreds. The new strain has "various characteristics that make it more virulent and toxin-producing," a WHO expert tells the AP . More»
