 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
The state health department is vigorously investigating a rash of severe illnesses with symptoms similar to E-coli. So far, nearly thirty people have been treated at area hospitals and one man has died.
The health department tells NewsChannel 8 that at this point, there are more questions than answers and that they do not have enough information to issue an advisory. However, many of the illnesses are clustered in Mayes County, with seven victims seeking aid at the hospital in Pryor, including one man who died Sunday afternoon.
Twenty-six-year-old Chad Ingle was a newlywed and was looking toward a bright future. His brother recalls the endless hours spent at Saint Francis Hospital, where his brother was taken after he got sick.
"Every time we heard 'code blue, ICU, unit 2', we knew it was my brother," he says.
Lab tests have yet to come back, but the family says doctors are pointing to E-coli as the cause.
Country Cottage is a popular Locust Grove restaurant and where Chad had a meal last Sunday. The Oklahoma Department of Health says the restaurant has been inspected over the past week and that it passed successfully. But, officials went on to say the restaurant has not been ruled out.
The Ingles say they have spoken with several other families who share the link to Country Cottage.
The restaurant released a statement Sunday that read "We are anxiously awaiting the health department's final report. At the same time, our hearts go out to those who are sick and we are keeping them continuously in our prayers."
"If I felt there was anything linked to my company that was causing people to be hospitalized or maybe even as far as dying, I wouldn't have been open today until I found out what was going on," Tony Ingle said. "And, I just want to, I feel like it's my job to warn people that maybe this place didn't do anything wrong, but we've got all these connections. And if I can save a life by telling someone, that's my plan. That's what my brother would want to do."
Symptoms to look out for include vomiting, abdominal cramps and hemorrhagic diarrhea, which means blood in your stool. If you think you may have similar symptoms, call the health department at (405)-271-4060. The health department is expected to have an update on their investigation Monday morning.
On The Net:
Centers For Disease Control - E-Coli
Oklahoma State Department of Health
I don't want to see them go out of business or anything like that. I was just terribly disappointed and upset when I came home from the hospital on Sunday and saw that they were open. After that poor man had died and after hearing and seeing all the families at the hospital suffering and upset. I was also very worried about the people that were eating there that had no idea about the situation.
I'm not spreading rumors...I'm simply retelling what is being said at the hospital.
By the way my niece tested negative for ecol i. The doctors say it is some form of bacteria.
What I meant by leaving a comment in the first place is that I agree with Ingle's brother on this video clip. If it were my place of business and there was any link to sickness and death I would have shut the doors immediately. And if they were going to remain open I was going to do what ever I could to warn people so that no one else had to suffer.
I'm sure the owners are good Christian people, but even good Christian people make mistakes and make bad choices that's why we need to be consistently relying on Jesus.
It sounds as though no one on this list is very closely related to the situation or has been to the hospital long enough to visit with the families and compare notes.
You might want to do a little research yourself.
There are a lot of Very sick people and worn out families. Please continue to pray for them.
Thank you for your prayers, I always need them.
NewsChannel 8 to leave comments on news stories.