Earlier in the day, Chipotle said health officials in Boston believe food-borne illness at one of its MA locations is likely norovirus.
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But since late October, Chipotle has temporarily closed restaurants in Washington and OR because of links to an E. coli outbreak.
So far, the Centers for Disease Control has linked 47 of 52 E. coli cases in nine states to Chipotle.
Several members of the college’s basketball team were among the students who fell ill after dining at the college’s Cleveland Circle restaurant.
“There are now 65 case reports that include Boston College residents, students, and non-BC patrons, but the information is constantly evolving”, the commission said in a statement.
A man walks near a closed Chipotle restaurant on Monday, in the Cleveland Circle neighborhood of Boston. Results however, will not be available for at least two days. It can spread through infected people, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.
It also said sales could be battered by additional reports of illness.
If you’re not in the Boston area and your local Chipotle hasn’t been shut down for E. coli purposes, there’s no need to fear those burrito bowl leftovers in your fridge. The virus causes the stomach or intestines to become inflamed, leading to pains, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
That outbreak, the company’s third food safety incident since August, has raised concern about potential damage to the fast-growing brand that has won a loyal following for its food made with fresh produce, meats raised without antibiotics and ingredients that are free of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Chipotle executives previously said that the chain’s same-store sales growth would be more modest this year, as it’s up against a tough year-ago comparison.
The most recent illness started November 13. While we can not confirm a cause of illness at this time, we are coordinating with Boston health officials to determine that cause.
Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc has more than 1,900 locations, mainly in the US. Costco, Starbucks and Wal-Mart have been involved in a recall of prepared foods containing celery that may have carried a different strain of E. coli than the one involved in Chipotle’s cases. Moreover, those who have contracted norovirus are students and residents from Boston College along with non-Boston College patrons.
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If the incident in Boston does turn out to be linked to norovirus, then that would not be as serious as E. coli, Maxim Group analyst Stephen Anderson told Reuters.
