Chipotle E. Coli Outbreak Spreads To New York

New York has joined the list of states affected by an outbreak of E. coli that has sickened dozens of customers of the Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant chain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Friday.

An outbreak of E. coli that has sickened 45 people in the U.S. has spread to New York, according to the CDC. The outbreak has been traced to a common ingredient at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants.
Photo Credit: *Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.*

James O'Rourke

11/21/2015 10:00 a.m.

The outbreak, which according to the CDC began about a month ago, has sickened 45 people in Washington (26), Oregon (13), California (2), Minnesota (2), New York (1) and Ohio (1). Sixteen of the victims required hospitalization. None have died as a result of the illness.

According to the CDC, the outbreak has not been traced to a particular item on the restaurant's menu, but 43 of the 45 sickened people reported eating in a Chipotle before getting ill.

Until Friday, cases of the infection totaled 37 that had been contained to the western United States. California, Ohio and New York were new additions, according to the CDC.

E. coli is an infection that typically spreads through consumption of contaminated food. Often, it strikes about 3-4 days after the associated germ is swallowed, according to the CDC. Many who are affected from the illness suffer abdominal cramping and diarrhea that is can be bloody. Most recover with in a week.

In the most serious cases, the illness can grow quite severe, resulting in kidney failure and, possibly, death. Children under the age of 5 and people with previously compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk once the illness begins.

Other symptoms include pale skin, fatigue, irritability and small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, according to the CDC. Affected people also may experience decreased urination.

Anyone who may experience these symptoms is urged to seek emergency treatment at a local hospital or with a health care provider.

Though the CDC did not specify where in New York the lone illness occurred, a notice on the Chipotle website says the victim had eaten at a restaurant in Amherst, N.Y., a town of about 122,000 people just northeast of downtown Buffalo.

Chipotle claims the infections appear to have been mostly under control by late October, but said one victim reported eating at a restaurant as late of Nov. 6.

For more information, visit the CDC or the Chipotle website.

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