Chipotle Closes 43 Restaurants In Two States After E. Coli Outbreak

(RTTNews) - Fast food chain Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG) has voluntarily closed 43 sites in Washington state and Oregon after en E. Coli outbreak was linked to some of its stores.

According to health officials, at least 22 cases of E. coli infection have been linked to Chipotle restaurants after people ate at the burrito and tacos chain since October 14. This includes 19 cases in Washington and three in the Portland area.

Seven of the patients in Washington and one patient in Oregon were hospitalized; but there have been no deaths, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

"While the outbreak appears to be linked to food served at Chipotle restaurants, the food or other source of contamination hasn't yet been determined and remains under investigation," the health department said in a statement.

Chipotle restaurants in Washington and Oregon have voluntarily closed until further information on the cause of the outbreak is available.

Some types of E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting. Those illnesses can sometimes result in severe, life-threatening illness and may be fatal.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist said, "Anyone who thinks they may have become ill from eating at a Chipotle restaurant in the past three weeks should consult their healthcare provider. The elderly and very young children are more likely to become severely ill from this kind of E. coli infection."