E. coli is a bacterium that is found in the lower intestine of animals with warm blood. The majority of E. coli strains are harmless but some could cause food poisoning in humans. The strains that don’t make any harm are part of the normal flora of the gut and can produce vitamin K.

The ability of the E. coli to survive outside the body makes it an indicator organism to test environmental samples for fecal contamination. Virulent strains of E. coli could cause gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, and neonatal meningitis.

Suspected E. coli might have killed one man and sickened at least 10 others. The persons ate at a restaurant in Locust Grove and the 10 people accusing serious problems were taken to a Tulsa hospital. The dead person’s name wasn’t released yet.

Leslea Bennett-Webb, State Health Department Spokesman, said that 12 to 20 people in Beggs, Pryor and Bixby were taken to various hospitals accusing the same problems. It still hasn’t been confirmed that the illness is related to E. coli.

The people accuse problems such as very severe and bloody form of diarrhea. Still, a St. Francis Hospital spokesman said that the illnesses are probably related to E. coli as 11 people remained in hospital until late Sunday.

"This is a huge puzzle we're figuring out," Bennett-Webb said and added that several restaurants in Locust Grove were inspected on Sunday.