Chipotle closes 43 stores in E. coli outbreak

The majority of the illnesses were in the Portland area.

Over the summer, a salmonella outbreak tied to Minnesota Chipotle restaurants left 64 people sickened. According to updated case counts released Tuesday, there are 12 victims in OR and 25 in Washington.

The popular restaurant chain for now has voluntarily closed its two locations in Beaverton and one each in Tualatin, Sherwood and the Tanasbourne neighborhood of Hillsboro while the source of the outbreak remained a mystery. An investigation determined they had contracted gastrointestinal illness Norovirus, which is acquired through contaminated food or water. “We’re really relying on working closely with Chipotle”, said Dr. Katrina Hedberg, Oregon’s state epidemiologist.

The common denominator in most food-borne illness outbreaks is poor food safety, Marler said.

Nine people in Washington and three in OR have been hospitalized, but no one has died. The lawsuit against Chipotle was filed on November 2, 2015.

The strain associated with the outbreak is called O26, Hedberg said, but OR on average sees two to three O26 E. coli cases per month.

Everyone who comes forward helps in providing extra clues that could help identify the source of the infection, she said.

Ashley Arellano, of Gladstone, was stunned when she got the diagnosis.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. “My body was in aches, and pains”.

“Testing is going to be continuing into the new week”, said James Apa, spokesman for Public Health – Seattle & King County.

So far the outbreak seems to be limited to Washington state and Oregon.

Lindquist does not expect the number of sick people to increase dramatically, and he said they are not positive yet that the outbreak is limited to people who ate at Chipotle restaurants over the past few weeks.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Chairman Steve Ellis says the company is doing its own tests at its restaurants and distribution centers, in addition to those done by health officials.

“It should be about safety and protecting the public right now”, says Selig.

The chain, which has more than 1,900 locations nationally and touts a slogan of “food with integrity”, said it is cooperating with authorities as they investigate.

Following news of the outbreak, Chipotle shares dropped as much as 5 percent Monday morning, Bloomberg reported.

All of the patients in Washington are in western Washington, with 11 of them in Clark County.

According to her, she suffered a bloody diarrhea, a symptom of an E.coli infection.

Since then, investigators have identified the specific strain of E. coli involved.

Analysts believe that the real cause of E. coli problem would have been in supply chain and not due to employee actions.

“Our deepest sympathies to out to those who have been affected by this situation and it is our greatest priority to ensure the safety of all of the food we serve and maintain our customers’ confidence in eating at Chipotle”, he added.