Results of investigations have forced health officials in Minnesota to suspect that the salmonella outbreak responsible for infecting a minimum of 45 people is linked to the state’s Chipotle restaurants. State health officials confirmed at least 45 people were diagnosed with Salmonellosis in the last week alone. The agency interviewed 34 people, and 32 had dined at one of 17 Chipotle locations.
Advertisement
Most of the restaurants are in the Twin Cities area, including one in St. Cloud and one in Rochester.
The people who are infected by salmonella belong to different age groups; reports suggest that they are aged between 15 and 67 years. Only five patients required hospitalization, but all those reported infected were recovering.
The Health Department said Thursday that Chipotle has been “extremely proactive” in collaborating with investigators to control the outbreak and locate its source.
Denver-based Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. says it’s working with health officials to determine a cause.
Doug Schultz of Chipotle told CNN that the restaurant recently switched suppliers of the food items in question.
Symptoms of salmonella food poisoning include fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to FoodSafety.gov. Investigators are confident ongoing transmission at Chipotle as part of the outbreak has ended. The investigation is not related to other reports of salmonella associated with cucumbers in Minnesota, which was a separate strain, he said.
“The safety and well-being of our customers is always our highest priority”, added Chris Arnold, communications director for Chipotle. The symptoms usually start within the first 12 to 72 hours following exposure to the bacteria, but can begin as much as a week after being exposed. Invasive infections (for example, blood stream infections, meningitis) occasionally occur. However, antibiotic treatment for certain categories of people and for more severe infections is warranted.
Salmonellosis is an infection caused by Salmonella bacteria – which is commonly found in the intestinal tracts of reptiles and birds. Since many did not seek health care and get tested, officials believe there are likely more illnesses.
Advertisement
If components arrive on the restaurant already contaminated and “whether it is served raw in a salad, for instance, there isn’t any approach a person restaurant can decide whether or not meals is contaminated or not”, Schaffner famous.
