WASHINGTON — Health officials are currently investigating a multi-state outbreak of E. coli that may be linked to Chipotle restaurants.
Four cases were reported in King County. While the outbreak is currently under investigation, preliminary information is that four people in King County have become ill, two teenagers and two people in their 20s.
One of the teens and one of the people in his/her 20s were hospitalized. In King County, all four ill people ate at a Chipotle between October 19 and 23.
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.
Chipotle restaurants in Washington have voluntarily closed until further information on the cause of the outbreak is available.
The type of E. coli implicated in this outbreak has not been confirmed but is a strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli similar to E. coli O157:H7. It can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting.
It can sometimes result in severe, life-threatening illness and death. In general, anyone with bloody diarrhea should see a healthcare provider.
