- Health officials in Oklahoma are investigation the cause of a lethal E. coli outbreak that has left one man dead and many others seriously ill.

One hundred and sixteen people are reported to have contracted the severe form of E. coli. More than 50 were hospitalized, and nine people, including six children, have had to undergo dialysis

One person has died and dozens here are sick after being infected with what appears to be E. coli. At least 10 people were taken to a Tulsa hospital after eating at a restaurant.

Oklahoma State Health Department spokeswoman Leslea Bennett-Webb announced that 12 to 20 other people in Beggs, Pryor and Bixby were treated at various other hospitals. The Oklahoma Health Department says up to two dozen people have been treated and released at other hospitals in northeastern Oklahoma

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday allowed food processors to irradiate fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce to kill E. coli and other pathogens.

The use of ionizing radiation will not only eliminate pathogens but also extend shelf life, the FDA said on it website. Under the FDA rule, which takes effect Friday, the packages of irradiated lettuce and spinach, like other irradiated food products, will have to bear the radura logo and one of two statements: "treated with radiation" or "treated by irradiation

Health authorities have issued a state of emergency here after E. coli bacteria was discovered in the water supply.

To counter the situation, authorities distributed as much as 8,000 gallons of free bottled water to Pembroke residents Sunday morning. The bacteria was first detected in the water supply last week

Whole Foods Market has announced a voluntary beef recall Friday because of concerns the meat might be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. The beef was sold between June 2 and Aug. 6 and was processed at Nebraska Beef plant, said a company spokesperson.

Health authorities have confirmed seven cases of E. coli infection linked to ground beef, all involving people who bought beef from Whole Foods. Five of those people have been hospitalized