Nov. 21--A Locust Grove restaurant that was the source of the largest E. coli 0111 outbreak in the nation has been cleared to reopen, according to state health officials.

"Country Cottage is in compliance with all the standards set for them," said Leslea Bennett-Webb, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

The restaurant has been closed since Aug. 25 when it was determined to be the source of a foodborne outbreak resulting in severe diarrheal illness. One man died and more than 300 adults and children were sickened in the outbreak. Some children had to undergo dialysis; others spent weeks in the hospital.

Restaurant owners Dale and Linda Moore have declined comment. Family spokeswoman Amanda Clinton said an opening date hasn't been set.

The restaurant underwent a rigorous inspection last week and was required to make a number of improvements, including a hand-washing monitoring system, said Kristy Bradley, state epidemiologist and head investigator.

"We feel we've done everything practical and reasonable to assure there is no more E. coli O111 bacteria present in that restaurant," she said. "We believe the problem has been remediated. There is no more risk of acquiring E. coli at that

restaurant than at any other restaurant."

Under the agreement with the state Health Department signed by Country Cottage, the restaurant had to meet 11 requirements, including disconnecting a private well on the premises and a thorough cleaning and disinfecting of every surface in the restaurant.

Bradley said the state hasn't completed its epidemiological investigation of the outbreak. She couldn't predict when that might be released.

"It has been a very complex outbreak investigation," she said. Eighteen hundred people were interviewed, and water, surfaces and food were repeatedly tested during the investigation, she said.

Blood samples taken from people who ate at Country Cottage were sent to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those were being tested for certain antibodies, and results haven't yet been received, Bradley said.

"We are trying to build up more supportive information to bolster a hypothesis," she said. "But we have no expectation that we will find a smoking gun."

The state Health Department requirements for Country Cottage to reopen include: The restaurant must pass an inspection that results in no critical violations.

The private well must be disconnected from water lines that supply the restaurant. Drinking water must be from an approved public water supply system.

Employees or potential employees with diarrheal illness will not be allowed to work at the restaurant.

The restaurant must allow repeat environmental swabbing and testing of the interior of the restaurant upon request.

The restaurant must conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfection of all floors, walls, tables, coolers, food preparation surfaces and food-serving surfaces at the restaurant.

Installation of three additional hand-washing sinks shall be completed.

Bathrooms must be fully operational and a monitoring system for employee hand washing must be implemented.

Each employee shall attend and complete a food handler's class to be conducted at Country Cottage within 30 days.

The kitchen manager and owner shall obtain a food service manager's certificate within 30 days.

The entire facility shall be maintained to comply with state regulations.

The operators shall use monitoring plans for cleaning, food temperature and other requirements identified during routine inspections for one year.

Kim Archer 581-8315 kim.archer@tulsaworld.com

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