The Chipotle Twitter account is responding to several inquiries about the closures, saying the chain closed all stores in the area, even though most reported no problems, and the restaurant is working with the health department.
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In a statement issued by Chris Arnold, Chipotle’s communications director, the people who got sick ate at six different Chipotle restaurants in Washington and Oregon.
Officials said there are three confirmed cases in Oregon from people who ate at Chipotle restaurants in Clackamas and Washington counties. The symptoms of the illness include vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
A spokesperson for the health department says the outbreak appears to be linked to a few food at Chipotle… People in Clackamas and Washington counties in Oregon, and Clark, King, Skagit and Cowlitz counties in Washington have reported symptoms of infection, according to health officials.
State officials did not say which ingredient in Chipotle food might have caused the outbreak. So far, 19 cases have been reported in Washington, and three in Oregon.
The affected restaurants are primarily based in the metro-Portland area, and southern Washington.
Jonathan Modie, a spokesman with the Oregon Health Authority, said many people may not see a doctor after becoming ill, so the number of people sickened in the outbreak is likely higher.
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They type of E. coli strain in this outbreak has not been confirmed, but it is a Shiga toxin-producing strain similar to E. coli O157:H7, according to Karasz. “We offer our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by this situation”. Most are harmless, but a few can cause serious problems. This year, customers who came in costume with an added off-theme accessory could score a $3 “boorito”. The event is meant to raise awareness of food additives.
