2015 Outbreak of E. coli O26 Linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill, Washington and Oregon
The CDC, FDA, USDA FSIS and public health officials in several states investigated two outbreaks of E. coli O26 linked to food sold at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. Public health investigators used PulseNet to identify illnesses that were part of the outbreaks. Two different rare PFGE patterns were included in these investigations. Outbreak #1: A total of 55 people infected with PulseNet strain EVCX01.1180/EVCA26.0773 were reported by 11 states. The majority of cases were reported from Washington (27) and Oregon (13). Other states included California (3), Delaware (1), Illinois (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (2), New York (1), Ohio (3) and Pennsylvania (2). Among people for whom information was available, illnesses started on dates ranging from October 19, 2015 to December 1, 2015. Twenty one (38%) reported being hospitalized. There were no reports of hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. This outbreak was assigned CDC Outbreak ID 1511MLEVC-1. Outbreak #2: In December 2015 a second outbreak with a different rare strain of E. coli O26 was identified. A total of 5 people were reported from three states, Kansas (1), North Dakota (1) and Oklahoma (3). Illness onsets for these outbreak cases ranged from November 18, 2015 to November 26, 2015. One person reported being hospitalized. There were no reports of hemolytic uremic syndrome or deaths. A review of chipotle's distribution records by state and federal regulators was unable to identify a single food item or ingredient that could explain illnesses in either outbreak.
- Outbreak began:
- October 2015
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- California, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Kansas, Delaware, Kentucky, Oklahoma
- Organism(s):
-
- Non-O157 STEC
- Vehicle(s):
- unknown
- Molecular Results Available:
- Yes
- Test Results:
- EVCX01.1180/EVCA26.0773
- Location(s):
- Restaurant
- Brand Name(s):
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Total ill:
- 60
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 60
- Number Probable Cases:
- 0
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- 22
- Any Deaths:
- No
- Number Dead:
- 0
- Any References:
- No