Boston College said Wednesday more than 120 students have reported to the college’s health services with norovirus symptoms after eating at a Chipotle restaurant in Cleveland Circle.
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According to a report from the Boston Inspectional Services department, which is responsible for inspecting the city’s restaurants, an employee at the Chipotle restaurant in Cleveland Circle was sick while working a shift Thursday. Health officials said they were not aware of anyone affected by the ongoing outbreak who needed to check into a hospital, although Boston College said some students received outpatient treatment for dehydration at local hospitals. The illnesses were later confirmed to be caused by norovirus.
It is unusual, however, for there to be so many different kinds of outbreaks associated with one restaurant chain.
Food safety experts have pointed to Chipotle’s heavy reliance on fresh produce as a reason for its susceptibility to such outbreaks.
The news comes amid an E. coli outbreak linked to other Chipotle Mexican restaurants that has made people sick in at least nine states since October. Chipotle said late Monday that it closed the restaurant after several students at Boston College, including members of the mens basketball team, reported gastrointestinal symptoms after eating at the chain.
The virus can spread from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces, the agency says.
The students have also been tested for E. coli, but results are awaited, he said.
The most recent illness started November 13.
Thomson ReutersChipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in San Francisco, CaliforniaBoston College says almost 120 students have become ill after eating at Chipotle over the weekend.
Chipotle Communications Director Chris Arnold told Patch Monday night that there is “no evidence to suggest this is E.coli” in Boston, and referred to a company statement.
At a presentation Tuesday for analysts in New York City, Chipotle executives noted the exposure period for the E. coli cases appears to be over.
Norovirus can persist in an environment for up to six weeks, said Benjamin Chapman, a food safety specialist at North Carolina State University.
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Chipotle shares closed down 1.7 percent at $542.24 Tuesday.
