Bulletin Today | Personal HealthThe devastating outbreak of E. coli poisoning in Germany — now traced to bean sprouts — is particularly frightening because the deadly new strain is extremely hard to treat. So far 31 have died and more than 700 are in intensive care, including three Americans who had recently visited Germany. The virulent new form of E. coli afflicts the kidneys, blood and central nervous system, resulting in a devastating, potentially life-threatening illness with a high probability of lifelong complications.