E coli 0111 Outbreak: Locust Grove, Oklahoma
A rare strain of toxic E. coli - 0111 - has infected at least 314 people, hospitalized more than 70, put 17 people on dialysis, and claimed one life. Most of the ill ate at the Country Cottage in Locust Grove, about 50 miles east of Tulsa, Oklahoma between August 15 and 17, 2008. The restaurant has closed while authorities search for the source of the outbreak.
Early reports focused on the restaurant’s use of well water during a power outage, but on Sept 2, 2008 the Oklahoma Health Department released a statement saying that the well water was not the outbreak source.
Most E. coli outbreaks in North America are the strain O157:H7. Since 1997, E coli O111 has been the source of very few E. coli outbreaks - most notably one in New York traced to apple cider, and one in Texas which was connected to water or salad (lettuce). All of the toxic strains can wreak devastation on a body’s digestive systems, especially those who have compromised or immature immune systems.
The restaurant served buffet style, which has been a flashpoint for outbreaks in the past. If contaminated food enters the restaurant, or if employees are ill or don’t carefully wash their hands after handling contaminated food, a buffet can rapidly spread that contamination to many diners and make it difficult to ascertain the exact source.
The Oklahoma Public Health Department requested and received help from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), who are in Locust Grove assisting in the investigation.
Marler Clark has been contacted by seven families who had family members fall ill in the outbreak.
- Little-known E. coli strain O111 starts gaining notoriety
- E. coli outbreak leaves town reeling
- Outbreak of E. coli Has Officially Ended
- Number of ill from E. coli outbreak up to 231
- Multiple Lawsuits Likely in Deadly Oklahoma E.Coli Outbreak
- CDC Enters the Investigation into E coli Outbreak in Locust Grove, OK
- Prior outbreaks give insight to current analysis of illnesses
- E. coli patient count rises in Locust Grove Outbreak
- OK Heath Officials: Well Water Didn’t Cause E. coli Cases
- Type of E. coli Identified; Well Water at Country Cottage May be an Issue
- Source of Oklahoma Illness is E. coli