(E.Coli is a bacillus which occurs naturally in the intestines of humans and other animals. Usually it causes no harm, but some strains produce toxins that can cause illness in humans. The recent deadly outbreak in Germany and France was caused by a strain called STEC O104:H4, a strain which can cause acute diarrhoea, and kidney failure. Currently no one really knows the source of the outbreak. At first it was blamed on cucumbers, then bean sprouts then organic seeds. At least you now know the E in E.Coli doesn't stand for electronic.)
Update: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/30/ecoli-europe-egypt-idUSL6E7HU0EZ20110630