Posted: May 24th, 2011 - 7:51am by Doug Powell

A deadly outbreak of the E. coli bacterium has claimed its first victim in Germany, authorities confirmed Tuesday, following reports that at least 140 people had fallen ill after becoming infected over recent weeks.

Health officials said the 83-year-old from the northern state of Lower Saxony died Saturday after having suffered since May 15 with the bacteria.

The outbreak, thought to have been spread through contaminated vegetables, is unusual in that it has affected mainly adults.