Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr. / AP Photo
Russia has banned the import of all fresh vegetables from Europe as the mysterious E. coli outbreak continues. More than 1,500 people have been infected and 17 people have died—16 of them in Germany and one in Sweden. German officials previously alleged that Spanish cucumbers may have been to blame, but they now confess they have no idea where the virulent bacteria strain is coming from. Spain is seeking compensation for the allegation, which has cost Spanish farmers an estimated $290 million per week. German officials say they may never know where the outbreak came from and that it may continue for months. Still, the EU condemned Russia's ban as disproportionate, pointing out that Russia accounts for a quarter of the union's total food exports.