Chipotle in Kent connected with E. coli outbreak | Update

A total of 25 cases of E. coli illnesses in Washington has led to the voluntary closure this week of all Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants in the state, including the Kent Station shopping center location.

The Kent location, 512 Ramsay Way, is one of five Washington restaurants associated with the outbreak, according to the state Department of Health. The other sites include Hazel Dell, 7715 NE 5th Ave., in Vancouver; 1404 Broadway Ave. and 4229 University Way NE in Seattle; and 1753 S. Burlington Blvd. in Burlington.

The restaurants under investigation are possibly linked to 25 cases of E. coli illnesses in Washington, according to a Department of Health media release on Tuesday.

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 5 to 65. There have been no deaths.

Twelve cases also were reported in Oregon. Chipotle has closed at least 14 of its restaurants in the Portland metro area (Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties) to assist public health agencies with their investigation.

While the outbreak appears to be linked to food served at Chipotle restaurants, the food or other source of contamination hasn’t yet been determined and remains under investigation.

The six King County cases include three teens, two people in their 20s, and one person older than 65. Four of the people ate at a Chipotle between Oct. 19 and 23, according to Public Health of Seattle & King County.

A Chipotle spokesman said as many as eight restaurants, including Oregon sites, may be linked to the outbreak.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have closed 43 (including all of our Washington locations),” said Chris Arnold, Chipotle communications director, in a Monday email.

Some types of E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting. Those illnesses can sometimes result in severe, life-threatening illness and may be fatal.

“Anyone who thinks they may have become ill from eating at a Chipotle restaurant in the past three weeks should consult their health care provider,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist said in the media release. “The elderly and very young children are more likely to become severely ill from this kind of E. coli infection.”

Local and state health officials in Washington and Oregon are investigating, working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Washington State Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Denver-based Chipotle released the following statement by email on Monday when contacted by the Kent Reporter:

“The safety and well-being of our customers is always our highest priority,” said Arnold, the communications director. “After being notified by health department officials in the Seattle and Portland, Ore. areas that they were investigating approximately 20 cases of E. coli, including people who ate at eight 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.

“We are working with health department officials to determine the cause of this issue. We offer our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by this situation.”