Outbreak Linked to Country Cottage May Be E. coli
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has issued an update of what appears to be an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has been associated with the Country Cottage restaurant in Lotus Grove, Oklahoma. (Update: On August 28, 2008 the OSDH reported that the E. coli involved in this outbreak is 0111 and not O157:H7.) The Country Cottage "E. coli" outbreak may have sickened over 50 people. According to the OSDH, "At least 17 cases have been hospitalized and 40 or more cases are under investigation. One person has died."
This is up from the 14 hospitalized cases and "20 or more potential cases" reported yesterday.
Although health officials have not determined the source of the illness, epidemiological evidence has determined that "a large number" of the people sickened and the person who died ate at the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove, OK.
Oklahoma health laboratory officials continue to analyze specimens taken from ill persons to try to determine if the diagnosis is E. coli O157:H7 infections. (Again, as of 8/29/08 the diagnosis is E. coli 0111.) Signs and symptoms of these Country Cottage "E. coli" cases include diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and severe abdominal cramping.
Our law firm has been contacted by people sickened in this Country Cottage "E. coli" outbreak. It is imperative for both medical and legal reasons for people experiencing symptoms of E. coli to seek medical attention. If you or your child is diagnosed with E. coli, you should immediately contact us regarding the additional testing that needs to be done to connect your or your child’s case of E. coli to this outbreak.
Our law firm represents people sickened in E. coli outbreaks linked to restaurants. We recently recovered compensation for victims of an outbreak linked to a restaurant even though health officials never found the source of the outbreak. Contact us about restaurant liability.
