Large Group of People Sickened One Dead, After Eating At Resturant

In Oklahoma, State heath officials are confirming that one person has died and dozens of others are sick after eating at an area restaurant with an illness that may be related to E. coli bacteria.

State Health Department spokeswoman Leslea Bennett-Webb says at least 10 people were taken to a Tulsa hospital after eating at a restaurant in Locust Grove.

A spokeswoman at St. Francis Hospital confirms one person has died. That person's name hasn't been released.

Leslea Bennett-Webb, communications director for the Oklahoma Department of Health says 12 to 20 other people in Beggs, Pryor and Bixby were treated at various other hospitals. She says there have been discussions the illnesses are related to E. coli but it hasn't been confirmed.

Bennett-Webb said St. Francis notified the Health Department about the illnesses Friday, which is a very severe and bloody form of diarrhea, she said.

However, she said, between 12 to 20 more people in Beggs, Pryor and Bixby were treated at various northeast Oklahoma hospitals with similar symptoms this past week.

"This is a huge puzzle we're figuring out," Bennett-Webb.

Bennett-Webb said the restaurant and other areas and establishments in Locust Grove were inspected Sunday.

"We're looking everywhere," Bennett-Webb said.

Source 1
Source 2