It seems the outbreak is confined to Hamburg and the surrounding area. All patients, even the ones hospitalized in the US have been traced to that area. This already should make alarm bells ring: why Hamburg only?
Note that Spanish, Dutch and other cucumbers are imported into every town in Germany. Not just Hamburg. Also, the fact that of the ill 70% are women is strange. What do women eat more so than men do?
Me thinks it is something specific to Hamburg. Like a tainted water supply. Or worse, a "trial" terrorist attack on Hamburg.