Travelers Warned of E. Coli Outbreak

Planning a "great escape" to Europe? Jet-setters traveling to and from Germany should still be aware of a deadly strain of E. coli sweeping the country, according to a health advisory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued Friday and continues to be in effect Sunday.

Travelers to Germany should avoid eating raw tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, and leafy salads, until further notice, according to the advisory.

Travelers leaving Germany should seek medical care immediately if they have severe gastrointestinal signs or symptoms of an E. coli infection.

"Anyone who has recently traveled to Germany and who may be experiencing symptoms such as severe stomach cramps; diarrhea, which may be bloody; and vomiting needs to visit their doctor as quickly as possible," said Los Angeles County Director of Public Health and County Health Officer Jonathan Fielding in a statement.

German health authorities have been monitoring the spread of a severe illness called hemolytic uremic syndrome since May—the majority of cases were found in northern Germany. Doctors found that the illness is being caused by an infection with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, according to officials.

As of Friday, four suspected cases of infections have been identified in travelers in the U.S. who recently visited Germany. None of these cases were in Los Angeles County.