“The epidemiologic evidence available at this time suggests that a common meal item or ingredient served at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in several states is a likely source of this outbreak”. The largest outbreak in Washington state, sickened at least 26, forced the national chain to close down restaurants, that have since reopened, according to WIVB.
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Before the E. coli cases in Minnesota, New York, California and OH were added to the outbreak, officials from the CDC reported as many as 50 cases in just OR and Washington. The company shut 43 restaurants in Washington and OR and hired two food safety consulting firms to handle the problem.
The total number of cases is now 45 across six states, with 16 people hospitalized.
The ages of these infected range from 2 to 94, as stated by the CDC.
What’s more, the outbreak, referred to as E. coli O26 outbreak strain, is pretty much confined to Chipotle’s food. Although testing performed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not uncover anything, health officials investigating the outbreak believe the E. coli originated in raw produce.
Chipotle’s stock price dropped almost 10 percent in late trading Friday to $550.75. However, a few E. coli are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illness, either diarrhea or illness outside of the intestinal tract. It is potentially lethal for children under five and senior citizens.
The infection starts when a person swallows tiny amounts of human or animal feces. Most cases resolve themselves within seven days.
The first few cases of Chipotle outbreak was identified in Seattle, Washington and Portland, OR outlets and on October 31 the firm shut down all the 43 outlets in the areas.
Chipotle said it is taking immediate action at these restaurants, including deep cleaning, replacing ingredients, changing food preparation procedures and giving investigators necessary supply chain data and surveying employees.
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AKRON, OH – An Akron Chipotle patron reportedly came down with the same strain of E. coli that affected customers in the Pacific Northwest in October, the company says.
