The popular restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill has temporarily closed 43 of its restaurants in Washington and Oregon due to an outbreak of E. coli.
Based on reports from health officials in the different states, a total of 22 individuals have been infected by the bacteria.
According to CBS News, 19 of the confirmed cases are from Washington while the other 3 came from Portland. Eight of them were hospitalized but fortunately, health officials noted that cases of death have not yet been reported.
Out of the total confirmed cases, 17 ate at a Chipotle restaurant. This prompted agencies, including the Washington State Department of Health, to launch an investigation regarding the link between the E. coli infections and Chipotle restaurants.
According to Marisa D'Angeli, the number of confirmed cases might increase since it is possible that other people may already be infected with the disease but have not yet experienced its symptoms.
Based on reports, six Chipotle restaurants have been linked to the outbreak. But according to Chris Arnold, the spokesperson for Chipotle, the company has decided to close more than 40 of its restaurants in the affected states for safety reasons.
"The safety and wellbeing of our customers is always our highest priority," he said in a press release according to People. "After being notified by health department officials in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, areas that they were investigating approximately 20 cases of E. coli, including people who ate at six of our restaurants in those areas, we immediately closed all of our restaurants in the area out of an abundance of caution, even though the vast majority of these restaurants have no reported problems."
Arnold then noted that the company is closely working with health department officials for the investigations.
As explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most E. coli strains are generally harmless and can be found inside the intestine and aid in proper digestion. However, there are other strains, such as those that come from human and animal waste, that can cause infections, according to CNN.
The disease caused by this bacteria can cause patients to experience vomiting, bloody diarrhea and stomach cramps. Health officials recommend that individuals who experience any of these symptoms should consult a doctor and get tested.
"Anyone who thinks that they may have become ill from eating at a Chipotle restaurant in the past three weeks should consult their healthcare provider," Dr. Scott Lindquist of the Washington State Department of Health said in a statement.
