In a recent statement from the U.S. Center for disease control, the Chipotle E. coli associated Outbreak now counts at 52 as of December 2, 2015. Fifty two people have been sick from the Mexican Food Chain all coming from nine different states. Current report shows 20 have been hospitalized but zero death toll.
On November 20, the last update from the CDC tallied 45. The seven additional reports are from the following states:
- California -1
- Illinois -1
- Maryland -1
- Ohio -2
- Pennsylvania -1
- Washington -1
From these recent reports, only one person confirmed eating at a Chipotle Mexican Grill, a week before his illness started -which was on November 10.
The specific food or ingredient linked to this outbreak has not been determined yet. However, epidemiologic evidence coming from medical investigations suggest that a certain meal ot specific ingredient coming from Chipotle served in several states is the likely source of the outbreak.
Chipotle Mexican Grill continues to work with public health officials in different states on the distribution and processing. Local health officials continue to investigate each ill patient stricken by the strain to specifically determine the food type ingested. This proved to be difficult since symptoms of the illness would occur days after ingestion.
PulseNet continues to survey laboratory results to identify people infected with the strain and to interview them accordinglty to narrow the food type or ingredient ingested. Previous reports indicated that nearly all Washington and Oregon patients ate at several Chipotle Mexican Grill locations before getting sick. Investigators utilized a genome sequencing technique to gather data from the E. coli strain. It has been found that 10 isolates are genetically related which proves the theory that illnesses outside Pacific Northwest are connected to Washington and Oregon.
While this is on going, Chipotle continues to maintain composure, as posted on the latest CDC update.
