The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) on April 9 released its final report on the investigation of an E. coli outbreak which occurred in August 2008 in northeastern Oklahoma, sickened 341 people and resulted in one death.

The report detailed the agency’s epidemiological investigation into the outbreak that included laboratory testing, personal interviews, and an environmental investigation. The source of the outbreak, the Country Cottage restaurant in Locust Grove, Okla., was quickly identified; however the cause for contamination was never found.

Microbiological testing of food products, food preparation and serving surfaces in the restaurant returned no trace of E. coli. But analysis of data collected during the investigation suggests there was ongoing foodborne transmission of E. coli to restaurant customers from Aug. 15-24.

“What is important to remember is that when responding to an infectious disease outbreak, our primary objective is to rapidly identify the source of the infection to contain the outbreak and prevent any further spread,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said in a press release. “Within 48 hours of being notified of increased cases of persons with bloody diarrhea being admitted to Tulsa area hospitals, we identified the Country Cottage restaurant as the common source of transmission. The restaurant closed voluntarily and the outbreak was contained.”

Here is a link to the 79-page report:  http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/EcoliO111SummaryReport.pdf