Surfaces test negative for E. coli

Serving and food preparation surfaces at the Oklahoma buffet linked to one man’s death and the hospitalization of 50 others after contracting E. coli tested negatively for the bacteria.

Oklahoman state health officials say that just because the tests did not show any bacteria, the tests are being conducted nearly a month after the suspected contamination, Aug. 15-17. It was then that at least 50 people became ill after eating at the restaurant located outside Tulsa.

Again, one death is attributed to this rare strain of E. coli bacteria, O111. Before this outbreak last month, only 10 reported cases existed through U.S. history.

Fifty people were hospitalized, and 20 remain in the hospital, including some children. Some have experienced organ failures, several reports have confirmed.

Officials have not ruled out dirty surfaces at the restaurant as the culprit and source of the contamination because the negative test likely came after the surfaces had been cleaned.

In total, 206 people were sickened after eating at the restaurant. Oklahoma officials hoped to issue some sort of report on the matter by the end of this week, but as the confusion into the source continues, it is likely that may be delayed.