Ohio E. coli case linked to Chipotle

Forty-five people in six states have been sickened with E. coli bacteria thought to come from food sold by Chipotle Mexican Grill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Only one case has been reported in OH, the CDC said.

The quantity of cases could go higher as state and government specialists verify whether other reported E. coli sicknesses coordinate the Chipotle strain.In a Seattle region Chipotle, AkberetGedlu, 29, said she verified the restaurant for indications of uncleanliness when she arrived, anxious about the extending number of cases. On Friday, the CDC confirmed the illness was recorded in three additional states – California, OH and NY. The first cases were discovered weeks ago in OR and Washington and, more recently, in Minnesota. Out of the 45 people who have become infected with the E. coli 026 strain, 16 have been hospitalized.

Their investigation is still ongoing though, and those in charge are now trying to figure out which Chipotle meal and food caused the spate of illnesses. Those restaurants re-opened last week. However, a few E. coli are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illness, either diarrhea or illness outside of the intestinal tract. The company said in 42 of 43 cases linked to Chipotle, people reported visiting one of the restaurants in question between October 13 and October 30, and one person reported having eaten November 6.

It was not immediately clear whether the outbreak is contained to Chipotles, or if contaminated food may have been supplied to other restaurants as well.

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.

“We closed all Chipotle restaurants in these markets out of an abundance of caution”, the company said on its website. There have been no deaths reported.

People carry bags as they leave a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in San Francisco on July 21.

“We are committed to taking any and all necessary actions to make sure our food is as safe as possible, and we are working diligently with the health agencies”, Ells said.