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Probe continues for source of E. coli outbreak in Okla.

LOCUST GROVE Okla. Country Cottage, a buffet restaurant in northeastern Oklahoma, remains closed as investigators try to identify what in the establishment may have been the source of an E. coli outbreak that killed a 26-year-old and sickened 206 other people.

An investigation to find the source, now in its second week, had focused on the restaurant’s water supply because a test indicated E. coli bacteria may have been present. But additional tests of the well water prompted health officials to shift their focus to food that was served in the eatery. Most of the victims ate in Country Cottage between Aug. 15 and Aug. 23, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Country Cottage was reportedly closed Aug. 27. The place normally used water piped into the restaurant from city sources, but it switched to water from its well on Aug. 10 because a city pipe broke, according to local press reports.

“OSDH officials are sampling and testing food preparation and serving surfaces in the restaurant for any E. coli 0111 contamination,” the agency said in a statement. “The restaurant is closed while the investigation continues.”

The department blamed E. coli for the Aug. 24 death of Chad Ingle, 26, of Pryor, Okla. Two Country Cottage employees were reportedly among the victims sickened by the bacteria.

The department said the more than 200 other victims include 53 children. Those sickened range in age from 2 months to 88 years. As of Wednesday, 27 were still hospitalized.

Symptoms of E. coli include diarrhea, vomiting and severe abdominal cramping. Fever is generally mild to absent.

Locust Grove is a town of 1,500 about 50 miles east of Tulsa, Okla.

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