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OKLAHOMA
CITY, OK — An April 9 Oklahoma Health Department report leaves open the
possibility that the E. coli outbreak that killed one man and
sickened hundreds of others last August in Locust Grove, OK, may have
come from a water well, according to an April 9 Associated Press (AP) report.
The
report said analysis suggests there was ongoing foodborne transmission of
the bacteria at the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove from
August 15 to August 24; however, because no specimen of the bacteria was
found in the restaurant, investigators could not determine how it was introduced
or spread, AP reported.
State
Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley acknowledged that she wished the source
of the rare E. coli strain O111 had been found, adding “it will
have to remain a mystery.” Other strains of the bacteria were found in
the Country Cottage’s private well water.
Oklahoma
Attorney General Drew Edmondson previously said that the tainted well
water may have been to blame for the outbreak, and has alleged that
chicken waste polluted water supplies in the region, as WaterTech
Online® reported.
According
to the AP report, Edmondson has said the Health Department “botched” the
probe and he is pursuing a lawsuit against Arkansas poultry companies.
To read
the full report, click here.
For
related information, click here.
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