The investigation into an outbreak of E. coli illnesses that may be related to Chipotle restaurants in Washington and Oregon has grown from 19 reported Washington cases to 25 as of today. The Washington State Department of Health continues working closely with local, state, and federal partners on a disease investigation to learn the extent of the outbreak and possible sources of E. coli bacteria.
In Washington, residents of Clark (11), Cowlitz (2), Island (2), King (6), and Skagit (4) counties have been reported as outbreak cases. Of the 25 cases, 23 reported having been at Chipotle restaurants before getting sick. Nine of the Washington residents were hospitalized. Cases range in age from five-to-60.
There are five Washington restaurants associated with this outbreak: Hazel Dell, 7715 NE 5th Avenue, Suite 109, in Vancouver; 1404 Broadway Avenue and 4229 University Way NE in Seattle; 512 Ramsey Way 101 in Kent; and 1753 S. Burlington Blvd. in Burlington.
No deaths have been reported in this outbreak. Washington case counts will be updated daily by 1 pm on this Newsroom page.
Chipotle restaurants are under a voluntary closure. The Washington Department of Health Food Safety Program staff are working to establish criteria for the restaurants in this state to reopen.
The Oregon Health Authority is reporting a total of 12 cases of Shiga toxin E. coli linked to eating at Chipotle restaurants in the Portland Metro area, up from three cases that were first reported October 31.
Among the cases, three were hospitalized, Katrina Hedberg, MD, state health officer with OHA’s Public Health Division, said during a media briefing today. There have been no deaths. People in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties, as well as Columbia, Benton and Deschutes counties have reported symptoms.
Many people affected with Shiga toxin E. coli may not seek health care, so the number of people made ill by this outbreak is likely more than identified.
Health officials want people who have eaten at a Chipotle during October 2015, and become ill with vomiting and bloody diarrhea, to see their health care provider and mention this outbreak.
The Oregon Health Authority, Washington State Department of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with local health departments in the Portland metro region, and in other Oregon counties on the outbreak investigation.