ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the Chipotle E. coli outbreak plaguing many states – is over.
The outbreak was first detected by public health officials in Washington and Oregon in late October 2015. Officials in those states detected an increase in illness and after interviewing ill people, they determined that illness was likely linked to eating at multiple Chipotle Mexican Grill locations.
A total of 55 people infected with the outbreak were reported from 11 states. The majority of illnesses were reported from Washington and Oregon during October 2015. The number of ill people reported from each state was as follows: California 3, Delaware 1, Illinois 1, Kentucky 1, Maryland 1, Minnesota 2, New York 1, Ohio 3, Oregon 13, Pennsylvania 2, and Washington 27.
In December 2015, a second outbreak of a different, rare strain was identified. A total of five people infected with this strain of STEC O26 were reported from three states. The number of ill people reported from each state was as follows: Kansas 1, North Dakota 1, and Oklahoma 3.
The cause of the outbreaks wasn't found, but health officials suggest a "common meal item or ingredient served at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants was a likely source of both outbreaks."
The last-reported illness to the CDC was on December 1.
WSBTV
