Chipotle closes stores after E. coli outbreak
SEATTLE, Wa. - (KTVU) - Dozens of Chipotle restaurants were shut down Saturday after an outbreak of E. coli in Oregon and Washington State.
Health officials said there are at least 22 confirmed cases of E. coli illnesses, and of those 8 were hospitalized. Three of the patients are from Oregon the other 19 are in Washington.
In a statement released to media outlets, Chipotle said it had voluntarily closed 43 locations in Oregon and Washington until the source of the outbreak is located.
Health officials believe the outbreak is liked to food served at Chipotle, but they haven’t narrowed down the exact source. Some of the patients did not eat at a Chipotle.
All of the cases in Washington state were reported in the Western part of the state, from north of Seattle to the Oregon border.
Health officials are asking anyone who has gotten sick after eaten at Chipotle to see their doctor.
“The elderly and very young children are more likely to become severely ill from this kind of E. coli infection,” said Washington State Epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist.
Local and state health officials in Washington and Oregon are investigating, working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chipotle operates 1,700 stores worldwide .