BANGKOK, June 4 — The public is urged not to become too alarmed over an outbreak of the potentially fatal new strain of E. coli in Europe and is advising careful washing of vegetables before consuming while travelers who have just returned from Germany or other European countries should consult doctors immediately if they experienced acute diarrhea, a senior Thai public health ministry officer said Saturday.

Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, said the discovery of the E. coli O104 bacteria has so far puzzled medical experts and the infection is expected to continue for “several months.” The death toll from infection in Germany and the rest of the world has now reached 19.

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