Chipotle E. coli Food Poisoning Outbreak Investigation – Public health officials from Washington and Oregon are currently investigating an outbreak of E. coli illnesses that may be linked to eating at certain Chipotle restaurants in Washington state. Nineteen of the outbreak victims are Washington residents and three of more of the victims are Oregon residents. Seven of the Washington patients and one Oregon patient have been hospitalized.
Multiple Chilpotle Restaurants Close – Outbreak Source Is Investigated
Multiple Chipotle restaurants in Washington have closed while the outbreak is under investigation. The Oregon State Health Department indicated that the closed restaurants are in the Portland Metro area or several other counties in Washington, stating that “Chipotle restaurant managers told the Tri-County health officials Friday evening that they would voluntarily close all restaurants in the four county region.”
Although the source of the E. coli outbreak has not been identified, state health officials reported that it appears to be linked to consuming food at Chipotle restaurants. Washington and Oregon local and state health officials are currently working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the outbreak.
Washington and Oregon Counties Report E. coli Cases
According to the Washington State Health Department press release, four illnesses were reported in King County, nine in Clark County, one in Cowlitz County, and five in Skagit County. Oregon state health officials reported in their outbreak announcement that the three persons sickened in their state reside in Clackmas and Washington counties.
E. coli Food Poisoning and E. coli Symptoms and Complications
Escherichia coli, or E. coli; is a type of bacterium that lives in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. While many strains of E. coli are harmless, some strains are capable of producing a powerful toxin, known as Shiga toxin, and can cause severe, life-threatening illness. These pathogenic strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are often referred to as “STEC.”
Symptoms of E. coli infection may include severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea (often bloody) and vomiting. Sometimes a low-grade fever is present. Children and the elderly are at greatest risk for suffering complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP).
E. coli Food Poisoning Diagnosis
E. coli foodborne illness is usually confirmed by performing a stool culture, a type of laboratory test that can detect the presence of the pathogenic bacterium in an infected person’s stool. Your doctor can order a stool culture if they believe it is appropriate.
Washington State Health Department Advice For The Public
Washington State public health officials advised the public to seek medical attention if they may have been sickened in the outbreak. State Epidemiologist, Dr. Scott Lindquist stated, “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.”
Chipotle E. coli Food Poisoning – Contact The Weinberg Law Firm Attorneys For E. coli Lawsuit Assistance
The Weinberg Law Firm is currently assisting victims of food poisoning outbreaks nationwide, including those sickened in the Chipotle E. coli outbreak. If you or a loved one was sickened and you have a question regarding an E. coli lawsuit please call our law firm toll free at 1-877-934-6274 for a free legal case evaluation. You can also contact our attorneys online by using the “Free Legal Case Evaluation Form” found on this page.
